Alcohol labels need more health warnings
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The Government warned today that drinks firms could face tough laws if they don’t place health warnings on products.
A voluntary code in the industry was agreed in 2007 which said alcoholic drinks would carry five key messages - the number of units, safe daily limits for men and women, the website for the Drinkaware Trust, a warning to pregnant women or those trying for a baby and a message to encourage safe drinking.
Companies were meant to comply by the end of 2008 but recent figures show only 15% of alcoholic drinks do so. Now the Government has threatened to put laws in place to make them comply.
Health minister Gillian Merron said: “While there should be no need to bring in legislation, we will not hesitate to act decisively if industry does not deliver. I expect to see much more leadership from the major producers.”
Underage drinking is being tackled over the half-term too, with 500 extra police, youth workers and Community Support Officers patrolling UK streets to catch teenagers. This has cost £350,000 to set up. Anyone caught will be taken home to their parents.
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