In the UK - Sad News for Happy Hour?

A scathing report by British watchdog agency Alcohol Concern over the industry's ability to self regulate its drinks promotions may lead to new governmental regulation – and possibly to the end of promotional happy hours in pubs.

At present, bar and pub companies are permitted to self regulate their promotions, and are expected to act in such a way that promotes responsible consumption.

Don Shenker CEO of the public health agency Alcohol Concern says that that idea is a total failure; explaining, "Self-regulation has clearly failed and we desperately need mandatory codes and an industry watchdog to stamp out the poor practice and complacency that is characteristic of many of these venues."

A government spokesperson responded to the Alcohol Concern report by saying, "The Government has made it clear that alcohol must be sold and marketed responsibly and that new legislation will be introduced if existing voluntary standards are not being met."

Mark Hastings, a spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association said that his members had no problem with new regulations against discount price promotions, as long as these regulations were applied equally to all alcohol retailers, and not just pubs and bars, saying, "It should not be one rule for pubs and one rule for everyone else."