Wine drinkers are to be hit hardest by curbs on cut-price drinks promotions proposed under plans to tackle irresponsible drinking. The move signals the death of “buy-one-get-one-free” deals. A mandatory code of conduct for the drinks industry would also end promotions that allow women to drink free of charge and would require pubs and bars to offer smaller wine glasses.

The wine industry claimed that the proposals – part of the Crime Bill to be published next week – would hit moderate drinkers.

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “It would be wrong if action aimed at tackling the problem minority resulted in millions of responsible consumers paying a higher price for their weekly shop.”

The Home Office has rejected a ban throughout England and Wales on “happy hours” in bars and pubs but is to consult on giving local councils the power to prohibit them in their areas.

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said: “I don’t want to stop the vast majority of people who enjoy alcohol and drink responsibly from doing so, but we all face a cost from alcohol-related disorder and I have a duty to crack down on irresponsible promotions that can fuel excessive drinking and lead people into crime and disorder.”

The latest attempt to tackle alcohol abuse and its links with public disorder will be in a crime and policing Bill, which will include measures to deal with lap dancing and prostitution.

Councils are to be given more powers to turn down applications to open lap-dancing establishments. In future they will have to be licensed in the same way as sex shops.

One of the most controversial measures will be a new law to deal with prostitution. Men who pay for sex with women who are being controlled against their wishes for another person’s gain face a fine of up to £1,000.

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