Pubs' serving sizes could be reduced

LONDON, July 19 (UPI) -- Bars and pubs in England could be forced to sell smaller servings of wine and liquor under a plan aimed at curbing binge drinking, officials say.

The legislation, to be announced this year, will follow a recent report that found many bars and pubs are super-sizing alcohol servings, The Times of London reported Saturday.

The largest wine glass now holds a third of a bottle of wine, meaning a customer can consume more than the recommended daily limit in one drink, the British newspaper said.

The survey found 70 percent of bars and pubs no longer offer customers the option of smaller serving sizes, which were once standard. The report also found many establishments offer double servings of liquor as standard.

"We can't force people to drink sensibly -- but we can help them to understand how many units they are drinking, the harm they may be doing to themselves and make it easier to buy smaller drinks if they want to," an unnamed official told the newspaper.

"It's time for the industry to take more responsibility for the consequences of how they serve customers," the source said.