Warnings on all alcohol in Britain by end of 2008

By the end of 2008 all alcoholic drinks sold in Britain will carry new health warning labels.

The labels are the result of a voluntary agreement between the government and the drinks industry and will clearly state the alcoholic units and recommend safe drinking levels.

Currently bottles and cans containing alcohol list percentages, but only some state what this equates to in terms of alcoholic units.

Most people are not aware of how much alcohol equates to a unit and many do not know the maximum number of units that is safe to drink.

According to public health minister Caroline Flint exactly what the labels will say is as yet undecided, but the warnings will not be as strong as for cigarettes.

Although the labels were first proposed three years ago in an attempt to curb binge drinking, both the drinks industry and the government have had a problem agreeing on the format.

While the scheme is supported by the country's leading supermarkets several of the country's biggest drinks manufacturers have refused to sign up but it is suggested legislation will be introduced to deal with non-compliers.

It is thought the warning labels will include words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly", plus the number of units each drink contains; they will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive.

They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware.

Experts believe more than 7 million Brits drink more than the recommended daily amounts, three to four units for men and two to three units for women.

Although a small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or one measure of spirits are often considered as being one unit, that depends on the percentage of alcohol the drink contains; in some cases, such as with strong beers and ciders, a pint or a large bottle can add up to three units or more.

Alcohol Concern has welcomed the scheme but said it did not go far enough and says more information is needed in pubs and bars regarding sensible drinking limits there.

Critics of the scheme doubt it will have any impact and say once people have had one drink out of a bottle, are they will not be bothered to read the tiny print that informs about units.