Brighton & Hove City Council has agreed to ask local pubs and off licences to stop selling super strength lager, to stop selling alcohol at less than cost price, and to adopt the Challenge 25 policy (where anyone who looks under the age of 25 is asked for ID) as part of a package of measures aimed at protecting local young people from alcohol abuse.

The move comes in response to a new report produced by a cross-party working group which considered the best way to reduce alcohol harm to young people in the city

Green Cllr Ben Duncan, who is Sussex Police Authority's Lead Member for reducing alcohol related harm and sat on the panel, said:
"Our city faces many challenges when it comes to alcohol, but most important among these is the danger alcohol misuse and abuse poses to our young people.

"In recent years the Royal Sussex has seen a doubling of child alcohol related admissions and the council has as a duty to do whatever it can to tackle the worsening situation.

"While we've no legal powers to force local pubs and off licences to stop selling loss leaders and adopt Challenge 25, asking prospective businesses to sign up as part of a responsible attitude to selling alcohol will go a long way to tackling the problem."

The Licensing Committee also agreed to consider extending the city's CIA (Cumulative Impact Area). This is a zone in the city centre where conditions for an alcohol licence are much tougher, but there is concern this is leading to proliferation of off licences just outside of the zone.

Ben added:
"I'm delighted the council have agreed to consider extending the CIA. It's proved a real help in tackling alcohol problems in the centre of the city, but we need to do more outside of the town centre."

Many of the measures will be implemented via a new Responsible Traders scheme, a Green proposal that will see a list of best practice drawn up in conjunction with local traders. Local pubs and off licences will awarded scores according to how they fare when assesses against best practice criteria.

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk