Britain to ban free alcohol for women

LONDON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- British health officials say they'll try to reduce public drunkenness by banning free alcohol for women, and curbing free wine and beer tastings.

The plan seeks to transform social attitudes toward drinking by eliminating the association between alcohol and sexual, social and financial success, said the Home Office and the Department of Health, noting hospital admissions linked to excessive drinking have more than doubled in the last decade.

Women often are at risk because of events such as the one at a nightclub in west London that offers women free wine as part of "Crazy Sexy Cool Party" promotion nights, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The plan also proposes to ban cocktails with sexually graphic names, such as Sex on the Beach, the Times reported.

The British Beer & Pub Association has called the plan "daft" and impossible to enforce.