CCPR counsels caution on alcohol proposals

CCPR today urged ministers to be wary when responding to the recommendations of the Health Select Committee's report on alcohol, published today.

The sponsorship of sport by alcohol brands came under the spotlight during the inquiry but CCPR chief executive Tim Lamb says that the Government should avoid any kneejerk reaction to the report's proposals.

"Ministers need to be very careful about the way they approach any new regulation of alcohol promotion. It's not only big sporting events, leagues and teams which benefit from sponsorship.

"Just as important to grassroots sport is the support offered to local clubs by the licensed trade. One in five community sports clubs across the country uses facilities offered by pubs for social events, club meetings and so on. Many pubs also offer local teams sponsorship and support in-kind that makes these clubs viable and brings communities together. That's a very valuable contribution to the health of grassroots sport and ministers need to take care to avoid blunt policy instruments which might jeopardise that."