Portman Group gives all clear to eight products
23-Dec-2008
Eight products that had been investigated by drinks watchdog the Portman Group have been told they will not have to change their packaging after all....
Vodka drink banned for appealing to kids
13-Oct-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
A vodka drink will be removed from sale because it looks like a soft drink and could appeal to children. Following a complaint from Labour MP Sally...
08-Oct-2008 By Ewan Turney
The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) has appointed Kate Winstanley as its first director and administrator.
03-Oct-2008 By Roger Protz
A 20-year-old Orkney Brewery beer is now being criticised by the Portman Group for its name and its abv, reports Roger Protz.
Portman Group attacks minimum pricing plan
11-Sep-2008
The Portman Group has spoken out against the Scottish government's proposals to introduce minimum pricing and ban off-sales to under 21s.The...
Alcohol ads report is "flawed", claims Portman Group
19-Aug-2008 By James Wilmore
A report looking at how often children are exposed to alcohol advertising is "flawed", the Portman Group has claimed. The Alcohol Concern report -...
Portman Group finds ciders in breach of code
25-Jul-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
Two ciders have been found in breach of the Portman Group's Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks.The...
23-Jul-2008 By Ewan Turney
Industry watchdog Portman Group has hit back at claims the industry is not adding adding unit information to cans and bottles. A review of labelling,...
Your say
17-Jul-2008
Portman Group is not an on-trade ally While broadly in agreement with almost everything your anonymous correspondent wrote about the Portman Group (3...
Super-strength lagers let off the hook
08-Jul-2008 By James Wilmore
A homeless charity's complaint that cans of super-strength lager encourage irresponsible drinking has been rejected by an independent panel. Thames...
08-Jul-2008 By Ewan Turney
Homeless charity Thames Reach has slammed the Portman Group for not banning super strength lagers. The charity complained that 500ml cans of Skol...
Your say
03-Jul-2008
Portman and a flurry of White Lightning Having read your article in the MA (12 June 2008), I find myself in shock at the response from the Portman...
02-Jun-2008 By John Harrington
Voluntary schemes like Challenge 21 will be made mandatory
Digest
22-May-2008
Portman code gets recognition The Portman Group's code on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks has been included in an online...
Brewery accused of breaching packaging regulations
21-May-2008
Brewery Brewdog has been accused of breaching packaging regulations in independent audit. Management consultancy PIPC raised concerns after being...
25-Apr-2008 By John Harrington
Plans for a new marketing drive follow a meeting with Government ministers
Trade unites to make drunkeness unacceptable
25-Apr-2008
Suppliers andl retailers are considering how their marketing can help to make drunkenness socially unacceptable following a summit meeting in...
In Brief
17-Apr-2008
Pinky's lingerie strategy Pinky Vodka has teamed up with lingerie brand Agent Provocateur for a tasting campaign designed to increase footfall at...
It's time to rock the boat
17-Apr-2008
The future looks dark for pubs — unless the trade combines to decide how to tackle the forces ranged against it, says Phil Dixon The 12 March 2008...
WKD warned for promoting 'sexual and social success'
16-Apr-2008 By Matt Eley Matt
WKD producer Beverage Brands has removed a selection of images from its website after a ruling by the Portman Group. Alcohol Concern complained to...
Alcohol Concern complaint about 'slighty saucy' label rejected
25-Feb-2008
A complaint by Alcohol Concern that a 'slightly saucy' drinks' label was sexually suggestive has been thrown out by the Portman Group. Alcohol...
19-Feb-2008 By Ewan Turney
Portman Group has announced an independent audit of drinks marketing
15-Feb-2008 By The PMA Team
The UK's leading drinks producers are boosting their support for alcohol responsibility by recruiting an independent chair to lead the Portman Group....
Portman hits out at Welsh alcohol plans
14-Feb-2008 By Ewan Turney ewan.turney@william-reed.co.uk
Drinks watchdog the Portman Group has slammed the Welsh Assembly's plan to increase tax on alcohol and place more controls on its promotion. The...
13-Feb-2008 By John Harrington
Portman Group wants police to enforce law rather than blame others
08-Jan-2008
The ban on alcohol branding on children's replica shirts has come into force
New Portman Group rules ban alcohol sponsorship on children's sports kits
08-Jan-2008
A new Portman Group Code has come into effect, which will alter the regulations for advertising alcohol. Alcohol branding will no longer be permitted...
16-Nov-2007
Drinks producers have reduced their TV ad spend by more than a quarter since strict new rules were introduced in October 2005
Trade battles AHA alcohol tax plan
15-Nov-2007 By Tony Halstead THals22851@aol.com
The trade is fighting back at attempts by a new health lobby group to push for a 10% hike in alcohol tax. The Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA),...
04-Oct-2007
Portman Group accuses BBC´s Holby City of irresponsible portrayal of excessive and rapid drinking
04-Sep-2007 By The PMA Team
The Portman Group to stop issuing Proof of Age Cards. 18 year-olds will no longer be able to get the Portman Group's Proof of Age Card from the end...
Portman Group calls time on PASS cards
04-Sep-2007
The Portman Group is to stop distributing proof-of-age cards due to the fall in demand. From the end of September 18 year-olds will no longer be able...
Premiership Preview: not in front of the kids
18-Jul-2007
The 2007/2008 season is set to be the last time alcohol branding can be placed on children's replica football shirts, following a Portman Group...
Poley's Position
16-Jul-2007
Can you clarify your recent comments comparing the discounting of beer to that of Fairy Liquid?The point I was making about Fairy liquid was that...
Legal advice: Will the new Portman Group code affect me?
26-Jun-2007
The Portman Group's 4th Edition Code of Practice banning shooters and slammers, reported in The Publican (June 19), does not apply to retailer-led...
Rapid drinking prevented under Portman Group rules
19-Jun-2007
Encouraging rapid drinking will be prevented under new marketing rules published by the Portman Group today. The new restriction will apply to all...
19-Jun-2007 By John Harrington
Portman Group announces new rules
04-Jun-2007 By Iain O'Neil
New rules agreed by the drinks industry
01-Jun-2007 By John Harrington
Portman has published new best practice guidelines for responsible marketing and labelling of alcohol on its new updated website. The guide takes...
Drinks industry calls for guidance on safe drinking labels
31-May-2007
The drinks industry is looking to the government for more direction over new alcohol labels.Following last week's announcement by the Department of...
InBrief
12-Apr-2007
Sexy lager falls foul of Portman Bottles of a Belgian lager displaying a picture of a woman whose clothing can be removed have been removed from...
11-Apr-2007
Bottles of a Belgian lager displaying a picture of a woman whose clothing can be removed have been stripped from shelves for breaching The Portman...
Speciality spirits: A shot in the arm
28-Mar-2007
There are several names that pop up more than most when tackling the issue of responsible drinking. Shots, and the category's major brands, bear the...
BBPA urges Portman Group not to interfere
28-Feb-2007 By James Wilmore
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned the Portman Group not to interfere in the running of pubs.In response to the industry...
27-Feb-2007
A soft toy gift pack containing alcohol has been removed from sale after breaching The Portman Group's Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and...
No super brew review
22-Feb-2007 By James Wilmore
The Portman Group has ruled out looking at the issue of super-strength lagers as part of a review of its Code of Practice.The group has just finished...
20-Feb-2007 By Rosie Davenport
The Portman Group is reviewing its Code of Practice for drinks marketing for the first time in five years - in response to "changing attitudes" to...
What the Sunday papers said
18-Feb-2007
Pub customers face a nasty shock when the next spate of smoking bans come into force later this year. Findings of a survey by soft drinks' maker...
NewsDigest
01-Feb-2007
Barracuda Group has reported a 36% growth in food sales. The group, whose brands include Varsity and Smith & Jones, also reported a 19% rise in...
Supermarkets will exploit smoking ban
08-Nov-2006
I read with interest your editorial in The Publican (October 23). Like yourself I find the current government campaign chilling, but the message is...