Blair - Binge drinking must not become new 'British disease'

Thursday, 20 May 2004 12:00 AM

The Prime Minister Tony Blair today said that society as a whole needs to ensure that binge drinking does not become 'the new British disease'.

In his first major speech on the subject since the publication of the Government's alcohol reduction society the Prime Minister said new licensing laws would allow people greater freedom but in turn demanded that they act more responsibly.

He said liberalisation of the drinking laws would be accompanied by increased police power to close nuisance premises.

Mr Blair told an alcohol industry summit in London: "At a time when overall crime is falling alcohol related violent crime is rising. New powers are there. They need to be used. As a society we must make sure that binge drinking does not become the new British Disease.

"There should be safe and enjoyable drinking for the majority and zero tolerance of the anti-social minority."

In a nod towards the drinks industry Mr Blair said that he was aware of constructive work on codes of practises, but said that these needed to make a difference. He also stressed the need to avoid advertising that glamorised binge drinking or promoted under-age alcohol consumption.

Despite this, the Government's record on alcohol and alcohol-related crime drew criticism from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, whilst campaign groups urged the industry to do more.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis described the Government's record on alcohol related crime as "truly abysmal". He said: "The number of alcohol related crimes has reached an all time high, while police powers to tackle underage drinking are barely used. The Government's alcohol strategy is little more than a panic measure and a PR gimmick."

The Liberal Democrats accused the Government of failing to tackle the causes of the "ticking health time bomb" resulting from the binge drinking culture.

Health spokesman Paul Burstow accused Ministers of having "dithered and delayed" and said alcohol problems must be treated as seriously as drug problems.

"The Government needs to think about more than just containment of the problem; it needs to deal with the causes." he said.

Lord Adebowale, chief executive of Turning Point urged the drinks industry to take more responsibility for the effects of alcohol.

He said the industry needed to contribute to the social costs. "The advertising budget alone for beers, wines and spirits is three times the amount spent on treating alcohol dependency."

Tags: