All-you-can-drink banned from today

Published: 06 April, 2010

Regulations to ban irresponsible on-trade drinks promotions including all-you-can-drink and the dentist's chair come into force today.

The laws impose a condition on licensees not to run promotions that encourage irresponsible alcohol consumption, also including women drink free and speed drinking competitions.

On-trade venues are also obliged to provide free tap water.

Conditions requiring bars and restaurants to offer a choice between single and double measures of spirits, and large or small glasses of wine, come into force on October 1.

Possible sanctions for breach of the rules include the loss of licence, the imposition of extra conditions or a £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "Alcohol-related crime costs the UK billions of pounds every year and, while the vast majority of retailers are responsible, a minority continue to run irresponsible promotions which fuel the excessive drinking that leads to alcohol-related crime and disorder."

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