Under the new Government measures to combat binge drinking, owners of bars and pubs will be banned from offering all you can drink alcohol promotions, drinking games and free drinks for women.

Any premises that breach the mandatory code or any secondary conditions that have been imposed will face a range of possible sanctions including losing their license, having additional tough conditions imposed on their license or, on summary conviction a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

The new Code also bans deals such as “dentists chairs” where drink is poured directly into the mouths of customers.

Bars and clubs will be also forced to make sure that free tap water is available for customers.

Additional measures will come into effect on 1 October to give retailers time to prepare. They are:

- ensuring all those who sell alcohol have an age verification policy in place requiring them to check the ID of anyone who looks under 18 to prevent underage drinking which can lead to antisocial behavior and put young people at risk of harm; and - ensuring that all on trade premises make available small measures of beers, wine and spirits to customers so customers have the choice between a single or double measure of spirits and a large or small glass of wine.

As well as the new mandatory code the government also introduced Drinking Banning Orders (DBOs) on conviction from 1 April on a phased roll out starting in 25 local justice areas. An order will allow magistrates to ban or prevent an individual who has committed a crime under the influence of alcohol, from entering any premises that sell alcohol.

Articles in the press

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/7556935/Owners-of-bars-and-clubs-face-six-months-in-jail-if-they-allow-all-you-can-drink-deals.html

http://www.netnewspublisher.com/uk-government-bans-irresponsible-drinks-promotions/