We have made no such assessment.

Alcohol is defined in the Licensing Act 2003 as “spirits, wine, beer, cider or any other fermented, distilled or spiritous liquor”. A provision in the Policing and Crime Bill will amend the definition of alcohol in the 2003 Act to include alcohol “in any state”. This will provide legal clarity that the sale of powdered and vaporised alcohol must be regulated under the 2003 Act in the same way as other forms of alcohol.

An impact assessment entitled powdered and vaporised alcohol has been published on gov.uk under the provisions in the Policing and Crime Bill: firearms and alcohol licensing.

As far as the Government is aware, powdered alcohol is not yet on sale in the UK or elsewhere, including online, or that there are any plans to sell it in the UK. Vaporised alcohol is sold in a few licensed premises as a novelty product, but the Government is not aware of it being sold without a licence.

Members of the public are protected from the effects of irresponsible alcohol sales through regulation under the 2003 Act. Regulation focuses on the prevention of harmful sales while retaining the benefits of responsible sales. The Act contains a number of criminal offences relating to the sale and supply of alcohol, including the offence of selling alcohol to a child under the age of 18. Licence holders must comply with the age verification requirements under the 2003 Act, including when alcohol is sold online.

Consultation on bringing powdered and vaporised alcohol into the definition of alcohol was undertaken via workshops in summer 2015, which were attended by industry partners such as the British Beer and Pub Association, Association of Convenience Stores, Wine and Spirits Trade Association, and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. These partners were in agreement that the legal position should be put beyond doubt.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibits the possession of alcohol when entering designated sports grounds and from areas where the event may be directly viewed. This includes, for example, entry into football stadia and within sight of the football pitch. The amendment to the definition of alcohol in the 2003 Act will carry over into this Act, so the possession of powdered alcohol will become an offence in these circumstances. Preventing people from taking alcohol, in any form, into football matches or similar places where alcohol is prohibited is a safety and security matter for the venues themselves.

Alcohol is defined in the Licensing Act 2003 as “spirits, wine, beer, cider or any other fermented, distilled or spiritous liquor”. A provision in the Policing and Crime Bill will amend the definition of alcohol in the 2003 Act to include alcohol “in any state”. This will provide legal clarity that the sale of powdered and vaporised alcohol must be regulated under the 2003 Act in the same way as other forms of alcohol.

An impact assessment entitled powdered and vaporised alcohol has been published on gov.uk under the provisions in the Policing and Crime Bill: firearms and alcohol licensing.

As far as the Government is aware, powdered alcohol is not yet on sale in the UK or elsewhere, including online, or that there are any plans to sell it in the UK. Vaporised alcohol is sold in a few licensed premises as a novelty product, but the Government is not aware of it being sold without a licence.

Members of the public are protected from the effects of irresponsible alcohol sales through regulation under the 2003 Act. Regulation focuses on the prevention of harmful sales while retaining the benefits of responsible sales. The Act contains a number of criminal offences relating to the sale and supply of alcohol, including the offence of selling alcohol to a child under the age of 18. Licence holders must comply with the age verification requirements under the 2003 Act, including when alcohol is sold online.

Consultation on bringing powdered and vaporised alcohol into the definition of alcohol was undertaken via workshops in summer 2015, which were attended by industry partners such as the British Beer and Pub Association, Association of Convenience Stores, Wine and Spirits Trade Association, and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. These partners were in agreement that the legal position should be put beyond doubt.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 prohibits the possession of alcohol when entering designated sports grounds and from areas where the event may be directly viewed. This includes, for example, entry into football stadia and within sight of the football pitch. The amendment to the definition of alcohol in the 2003 Act will carry over into this Act, so the possession of powdered alcohol will become an offence in these circumstances. Preventing people from taking alcohol, in any form, into football matches or similar places where alcohol is prohibited is a safety and security matter for the venues themselves.

The Government’s position is the same as that set out in the response to the consultation on locally set fees, published on 26th February of this year. The Local Government Association is taking forward work to provide better evidence of licensing authority’s costs. The Government will review whether to implement locally-set licensing fees when the necessary evidence is available.

The Government published its response to the consultation on locally-set fees on 26 February this year. Having carefully considered the concerns of the licensed trade and the evidence provided by local government, the Government has decided not to proceed with the implementation of locally-set fees at this time, but to instead invite the Local Government Association to provide better evidence of licensing authorities’ costs. There are no plans to review this decision before the General Election.

The Licensing Act 2003 put in place a robust regime for licensing the sale of alcohol. Section 191 of the Act defines alcohol as "spirits, wine, beer, cider or any other fermented, distilled or spirituous liquor", and lists some exceptions. The status of products containing alcohol are considered on a case by case basis. Although the Act refers to liquids and this product is sold in solid form, it is intended to be drunk as a liquid.

The Government is not aware of powdered alcohol being marketed or made available to buy in England and Wales, although we are aware of its sale in other countries. In the event that there is a proposal to market powdered alcohol in England and Wales, the Home Office will make a formal assessment of its legal position.

The noble Lord has taken a great interest in this subject. I have always valued his contributions and look forward to his contribution to the debates we are likely to have on this Bill. I am sure that these arguments will be presented when we have the opportunity. Meanwhile, I am grateful for his acknowledgment of the progress that the Government have made in this difficult area.