Archbishop welcomes Government binge-drinking controls

|PIC1|The Archbishop of Wales has welcomed new Government measures to tackle binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder.

Dr Barry Morgan said Wednesday’s announcement to introduce tighter controls on the sale of cheap alcohol in bars and supermarkets would show the Government recognises the dangers of binge drinking.

The new measures include a ban on cheap alcohol promotions, including “all you can drink for £10” deals and free drinks for women, although happy hours will remain. The ban means supermarkets will no longer be able to offer reduced prices on bulk purchases of alcohol.

“Plans announced today show the Government recognises the dangers of binge drinking, both to individuals and to society and is tackling promotions which make it all too easy for the culture to continue and to be seen as socially acceptable,” said Dr Morgan.

“Legislation like this is important in improving the wellbeing of all of us – we have seen this in the success of drink-drive campaign and laws on smoking in public places.

“However, laws alone will not solve the problem – people and organisations, such as schools, hospitals, churches and local authorities, need to continue to work together to achieve real cultural change and ensure we are not a country addicted to binge-drinking.”

The Archbishop last month joined other bishops of the Church in Wales and the head of the Welsh police to launch the new Enough is Enough campaign against binge-drinking.

The campaign invites members of the public to make a pledge to cut down the amount they drink and stop before they have had too much.

Enough is Enough will see the widespread circulation of posters and leaflets highlighting the damaging effects of excessive alcohol consumption and the huge toll binge drinking takes on people, their families and friends, and society as a whole.

The campaign is being backed by Cardiff University Students' Union and the Licensees Forum, and supports the Welsh Assembly Government's Substance Misuse Strategy.