All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse has claimed that the labels of alcoholic drinks should bear messages stating the damaging effects of alcohol abuse.The group wants all UK parties to sign up to a list of 10 recommendations designed to reduce alcohol-related problems. Included in this list is a call for a reduction of the drink drive limit, the strengthening of regulations surrounding alcohol marketing, and the introduction of a mandatory minimum price per unit for alcohol.
Their recommendation document states:
"Health warnings are a familiar and prominent feature on all tobacco products. Likewise, detailed nutritional labelling is ubiquitous on food products and soft drinks.
"Yet consumer information on alcohol products usually extends no further than the volume strength and unit content.
"In order to inform consumers about balanced risk, every alcohol label should include an evidence-based health warning as well as describing the product's nutritional, calorific and alcohol content."
Labour peer Clive Brooke, vice-chairman of the group, said:
"Not only does it cost lives but it burdens the NHS and the criminal and justice systems and others with ever increasing costs. All the political parties know that but they run for cover when they are confronted by the drinks industry and its immensely powerful lobby. These proposals give them another chance to consider whether they really have the guts to take a different line for the country's wellbeing in the future."
