Government stats show pubs are safest place for drinking

A trade chief has attacked the government for spending millions on 'fancy ad campaigns' around alcohol – but doing nothing to encourage 'supervised' drinking in pubs.

Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said the government seemed “intent on tying up pubs and bars with laws and red tape rather than focusing on businesses that encourage irresponsible drinking through cut price, bargain basement, deals”.

He was referring to the proposed mandatory code of practice for the industry, which could cost the trade a total of £300m in its first year. But the ALMR also highlighted recent government figures showing the vast majority of heavy drinkers avoid pubs and bars. According to a Office for National Statistics survey 74 per cent of them do their heaviest drinking away from pubs, with 52 per cent staying at home.

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