Alcohol Concern blasts supermarkets for cheap booze
01 March 2011 09:48
Supermarkets should stop displaying alcohol next to everyday items such as bread and milk, health campaigners have said.
Stores are "overflowing" with discounted alcohol, according to Alcohol Concern, which is urging supermarkets and off-licenses to display drink in only one part of their shops.
Research for the charity in December found supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda placing alcohol displays throughout their stores.
Experts at Alcohol Concern said England should follow examples set in Scotland and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government to restrict the places where alcohol can be seen.
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "Supermarkets are overflowing with discount alcohol and it's often displayed throughout the store.
"It's now common practice to sell wine next to ready-meals for example, pushing the idea that a relaxing meal should be accompanied by an alcoholic drink. Such practices promote alcohol as a normal commodity, like any other type of food or drink."
Gavin Partington, spokesman for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: "There is no evidence from Scotland that this has had any impact on tackling alcohol misuse. Far from demonising alcohol surely we should encourage people to drink with food. Most people enjoy drinks in this way and that's why they are happy to buy them as part of their weekly shop."
British Retail Consortium food director Andrew Opie said: "This is a very small-scale survey, looking at just four stores in a single UK city.
"Its findings will be skewed by the fact it was done in December when there's more alcohol in stores because of increased customer demand for it.
"Supermarkets are the most responsible sellers of alcohol. They enforce Challenge 25 to prevent under-age sales, display 'Know Your Limits' unit labelling and provide funding for the Drink Aware campaign. There's no evidence to link the way alcohol is sold currently to irresponsible drinking. Limiting supermarket displays would create inconvenience for the vast majority of customers who enjoy alcohol sensibly."
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