Drinks watchdog in Northern Ireland first year report
On 6 November, the first annual report of the Joint Industry Code for the Responsible Promotion and Retail of Alcohol in Northern Ireland was launched at Stormont. The report was endorsed by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland MLA,
who chairs the Independent Complaints Panel that
compiled the report.
“In its first year, the panel has dealt with 18 complaints,
four of which were upheld (against two premises)… The report raises a number of issues including the use
of social media in engaging with customers and how licensees should be aware of and control how their
promotions are marketed through these channels,” he said.
The ‘joint industry code for the responsible promotion
and retail of alcohol’ was produced by alcohol
retailers on a voluntary basis and came into effect in September 2012.
Duncan McCausland, who chairs the independent complaints panel that compiled the report, said: “In
its first year, the panel has dealt with 18 complaints, four of which were upheld (against two premises).“Throughout the past year the panel have been
impressed by the level of compliance shown to the code by licensed trade.. The report raises a number of issues including the use of social media in engaging
with customers and how licensees should be aware
of, and control how, their promotions are marketed
through these channels.”
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said:“The code demonstrates how government and the
industry can work together to bring forward practical
solutions to our problems with alcohol abuse... The fact that the code is self-regulating demonstrates a responsible and robust attitude by the industry... I am greatly encouraged by the findings of the report and the positive response the licensed trade has shown towards the code.”
