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Alcohol health warnings by 2008 | Alcohol health warnings by 2008 |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Alcoholic drinks will carry new health warning labels by the end of 2008 under a voluntary agreement between ministers and the drinks industry. | Alcoholic drinks will carry new health warning labels by the end of 2008 under a voluntary agreement between ministers and the drinks industry. |
The labels will detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels. | The labels will detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels. |
Bottles and cans currently have alcohol percentages but only some state what this equals in alcoholic units. | Bottles and cans currently have alcohol percentages but only some state what this equals in alcoholic units. |
Public health minister Caroline Flint says exactly what the labels will say is not decided but the warnings will not be as strong as for cigarettes. | Public health minister Caroline Flint says exactly what the labels will say is not decided but the warnings will not be as strong as for cigarettes. |
Calculating units | Calculating units |
The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format and it is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme. | The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format and it is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme. |
However, ministers said if the industry does not comply it will introduce legislation. | However, ministers said if the industry does not comply it will introduce legislation. |
The proposed warning labels will include the words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly" and include details of the amount of units each drink contains. | The proposed warning labels will include the words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly" and include details of the amount of units each drink contains. |
More than 7m people drink more than the recommended daily amounts - three to four units for men and two to three units for women. | More than 7m people drink more than the recommended daily amounts - three to four units for men and two to three units for women. |
A small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or one measure of spirits are each classed as one unit, but it depends on the percentage of alcohol the drink contains. | A small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or one measure of spirits are each classed as one unit, but it depends on the percentage of alcohol the drink contains. |
With some strong beers and ciders, a pint or a large bottle can add up to three units or more. | With some strong beers and ciders, a pint or a large bottle can add up to three units or more. |
In terms of cans and bottles, it's a very good first step Don ShenkarAlcohol Concern Send us your comments | |
Ms Flint said: "This landmark, voluntary agreement will help people calculate, at a glance, how much they are drinking and whether they are staying within sensible drinking guidelines. | Ms Flint said: "This landmark, voluntary agreement will help people calculate, at a glance, how much they are drinking and whether they are staying within sensible drinking guidelines. |
"There is no reason why you or I or anybody else shouldn't be able to enjoy alcohol safely and healthily and enjoy it. | "There is no reason why you or I or anybody else shouldn't be able to enjoy alcohol safely and healthily and enjoy it. |
"We've really got to think about the messages that are credible with people, because there's no point having messages that people just sort of switch off to and say that's ridiculous that doesn't help me. "And this is about helping people to make the right choices." | "We've really got to think about the messages that are credible with people, because there's no point having messages that people just sort of switch off to and say that's ridiculous that doesn't help me. "And this is about helping people to make the right choices." |
While the agreement has been reached only by health ministers in England, it will effectively apply to the UK as manufacturers are unlikely to take a different tack depending on where it is sold. | While the agreement has been reached only by health ministers in England, it will effectively apply to the UK as manufacturers are unlikely to take a different tack depending on where it is sold. |
Information on units is already contained on some supermarket own-brand drinks, but for most of the industry it will be the first time they have carried specific warnings. | Information on units is already contained on some supermarket own-brand drinks, but for most of the industry it will be the first time they have carried specific warnings. |
Industry involvement | Industry involvement |
As well as giving information about units, the labels will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive. | As well as giving information about units, the labels will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive. |
They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware. | They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware. |
Kevin Hawkins, of the British Retail Consortium, said the industry wanted to take a "responsible attitude to selling alcohol" and was committed to the system. | Kevin Hawkins, of the British Retail Consortium, said the industry wanted to take a "responsible attitude to selling alcohol" and was committed to the system. |
And he added: "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information." | And he added: "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information." |
Pubs call | |
Alcohol Concern said this was one of many measures which could be taken. | |
Don Shenkar, director of policy and services for the charity, said: "We'd like there to be more information in pubs and bars, in terms of the sensible drinking limits there. | |
"But in terms of cans and bottles, it's a very good first step." | |
However, Annette Fleming, chief executive of Aquarius, a Midlands-based alcohol and drugs charity, questioned whether labelling would make a difference. | |
She told BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast: "It begs the question, that once people have had one drink out of a bottle, are they really going to be bothered to read the tiny print that talks about units? | |
"It's not as if you're kind of sitting eating your cornflakes in the morning, trying to wake up. | |
"And, I kind of think that the whole issue around labelling meets a government need." |