Labelling

Alcoholic drinks body the Portman Group has removed cannabis-flavoured drinks from sale that were found to be in breach of the code of practice on the packaging, naming and promotion of alcoholic drinks because of their association with an illicit drug.

A Bristol publican complained to the alcohol watchdog about Perigan's Cannabis-Flavoured Gin, Iganoff Cannabis-Flavoured Vodka and Rodnik's Cannabis-Flavoured Absinthe, which featured a picture of what looked like a cannabis leaf on their labels.

Portman Group chief executive David Poley said such a blatant breach of the alcohol marketing rules was "unusual".

"This rare example of inappropriate marketing should not be allowed to blight the responsible actions of the overwhelming majority of drinks producers," he said.

The drinks are produced by Spanish distiller Beveland and imported into the UK by Ultimate Brands in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Retailers will now refuse to stock the drinks until the labels comply with the code.

Ultimate Brands has also confirmed that it will stop importing the drinks.

The Portman Group said the complaint came in before it had started its advertising campaign in regional newspapers and magazines to urge consumers to contact the organisation if they had concerns about drinks marketing.

The campaign started last month and will run until January 2008.

A Portman Group spokesman said there had been "a good response" to its guide to making complaints, which has been sent to 1,200 stakeholders, including politicians, alcohol agencies, health professionals, trading standards and police licensing.

An additional 85,000 drip-mats that promote the code have also been issued to pub companies.

The code of practice prohibits packaging that incites consumers to drink quickly or unduly emphasises a drink's alcohol content. There must also be no association with illegal drugs, sexual success, bravado or violence.