Labour is considering a ban on under-18s buying non-alcoholic drinks in pubs amid fears it is a ‘gateway’ to full-on boozing.
The move would see alcohol-free drinks, including 0 per cent beers like Lucky Saint and Guinness 0.0, off the market to children and teenagers.
But the proposal has been met with backlash, with critics arguing it will actually push young people away from ‘more sensible’ choices.
Pubs could also potentially take a hit – at a time when the industry is already under straits from Rachel Reeves‘ tax raid.
Alcohol alternatives are split into two categories – non-alcoholic drinks and low-alcohol drinks.
Low-alcohol drinks are under 1.2 per cent alcohol by volume, while alcohol-free drinks have less than 0.05 per cent, UK guidelines state.
Heineken 0.0 per cent, Budweiser Zero, and Asahi Super Dry 0 are examples of alcohol-free drinks widely sold in the UK which have boomed in recent years.
Ashley Dalton, a Labour health minister, said non-alcoholic products were distinct from soft drinks because they are ‘intentionally crafted’ to mimic ‘traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine or spirits’
Zero and non-alcoholic alternatives have risen in popularity in recent years, as big names like Guinness have create ‘zero alcohol’ products
Ashley Dalton, a health minister, told the Telegraph that non-alcoholic products were distinct from soft drinks because they are ‘intentionally crafted’ to mimic ‘traditional alcoholic drinks like beer, wine or spirits.
Ms Dalton said: ‘This is a newly emerging area, but there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to alcohol-like products, even if low or zero alcohol, can normalise drinking, and become a gateway to alcohol consumption.
‘Earlier alcohol use initiation is linked to a higher risk of harmful drinking patterns later in life.’
Last week, the minister stated that the Government would be exploring measures to ‘regulate access’ to no- and low- alcohol products, in line with other alcoholic beverages, including preventing their sale to under-18s.
Currently in the UK, it is illegal to sell alcohol to under-18s. A 16 or 17-year-old teenager can drink a pint or glass or wine with their meal if accompanied by an adult, but cannot buy it themselves.
However, there are no rules around alcohol-free drinks, which have gained in popularity as big brands have created alcohol-free alternatives.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘This government supports further growth in the no-and-low alcohol market for adults, given the potential to help tackle harmful levels of consumption if the switch is made to lower-alcohol alternatives.’
Earlier this month, Labour’s plans for a near-zero tolerance drink-drive limit was called a ‘death knell for country pubs’, after they unveiled plans which could see drivers who’d drunk a single pint breaking the law.
Ministers are to consult on whether to slash the limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms in England and Wales to bring them in line with Scotland.
Despite more than 2,000 pubs facing closure amid business rate hikes, Rachel Reeves remains resistant to mounting Cabinet pressure to offer support to struggling hospitality venues
Data shows one in six road fatalities in 2023 involved drink-driving and the current limit is the highest in Europe alongside Malta.
Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood today insisted that the change would not stop people having a ‘great night out’ if you ‘don’t take your car’.
However, critics insisted the lower limit had no significant impact on accidents in Scotland.
And fears have been raised over the impact on rubs in rural areas which rely on people travelling over unwalkable distances in areas with little or no public transport.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said the move was a, ‘death knell for country pubs across Britain’.
It also follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax raid on pubs, which will see the average pub face £1,400 more in business rates initially, rising to £12,900 over three years.
Despite more than 2,000 pubs facing closure amid business rate hikes, Rachel Reeves remains resistant to mounting Cabinet pressure to offer support to struggling hospitality venues.
