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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol health warnings by 2008 | Alcohol health warnings by 2008 |
| (about 4 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. |
| The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format. | The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format. |
| It is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme, but ministers said if the industry did not comply, the government would introduce legislation. | It is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme, but ministers said if the industry did not comply, the government would introduce legislation. |
| Calculating units | Calculating units |
| The proposed warning labels will include words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly", and the number of units each drink contains. | The proposed warning labels will include words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly", and the number of units each drink contains. |
| They will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive. | They 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. |
| 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 often taken as being 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 often taken as being 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 | 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... |
| "This is about helping people to make the right choices." | "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. |
| 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. |
| "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information," he said. | "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information," he said. |
| Pubs call | Pubs call |
| Alcohol Concern welcomed the scheme but said it did not go far enough. | |
| 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. | 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." | "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 how effective the labelling would be. | However, Annette Fleming, chief executive of Aquarius, a Midlands-based alcohol and drugs charity, questioned how effective the labelling would be. |
| She told BBC Radio Five Live: "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? | She told BBC Radio Five Live: "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? |
| "I'm not sure it will actually make a difference." | "I'm not sure it will actually make a difference." |