U.K. Introduces Unbreakable Pint Glasses---Unbreakable Glass Cups-Unbreakable Glass Cups: Shatter-proof pint glasses are to be introduced to British pubs and clubs in an attempt to cut alcohol-related violence.
Designers hope they can reduce the number of glass attacks which cost the NHS an estimated £2.7 billion each year.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson heralded the glasses as a step forward in fighting the problem.
Design Bridge, the company behind the prototypes, say the glasses are safer than those in pubs and clubs for two main reasons.
As well as being difficult to smash, if they are broken then any dangerous shards are held together by a layer of resin.
The Glass Plus design has a thin layer of resin on the inside, while the Twin Wall model has two layers of glass bound together by resin.
According to Home Office figures, although alcohol-related violence has fallen by a third since 1997, there remain 87,000 glass attacks each year.
Design Bridge, the company behind the prototypes, say the glasses are safer than those in pubs and clubs for two main reasons.
As well as being difficult to smash, if they are broken then any dangerous shards are held together by a layer of resin.
The Glass Plus design has a thin layer of resin on the inside, while the Twin Wall model has two layers of glass bound together by resin.
According to Home Office figures, although alcohol-related violence has fallen by a third since 1997, there remain 87,000 glass attacks each year.
Mr Johnson told the launch at London's Design Council that the properties of the current pint glass are to blame.
He said: 'Having that weapon in your hand is an enormous part of why these injuries take place in the first instance.
'It's about bringing together all the talents of design and technology and innovation to find a solution to this problem.
'All being well, we'll find either one of these two projects, or even both of them, to be the kind of glasses you'll get pubs and clubs not just in this country but around the world.'
The development of the prototypes cost £175,000 and the Home Secretary believes it is money well spent.
'Just as we found with design against theft of mobile phones, design against car theft, it can have a huge payback in terms of reduced crime.
'This is a very small investment for a very big return,' he added.
Designers also claim that drinkers will see benefits beyond greater safety.
David Kester, chief executive of the Design Council, said: 'The twin walled glass actually will keep their beer colder for longer which is great.
'In tests, it's shown that the beer pours better, so beer connoisseurs are going to like it even more.'
Designers hope they can reduce the number of glass attacks which cost the NHS an estimated £2.7 billion each year.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson heralded the glasses as a step forward in fighting the problem.
Design Bridge, the company behind the prototypes, say the glasses are safer than those in pubs and clubs for two main reasons.
As well as being difficult to smash, if they are broken then any dangerous shards are held together by a layer of resin.
The Glass Plus design has a thin layer of resin on the inside, while the Twin Wall model has two layers of glass bound together by resin.
According to Home Office figures, although alcohol-related violence has fallen by a third since 1997, there remain 87,000 glass attacks each year.
Design Bridge, the company behind the prototypes, say the glasses are safer than those in pubs and clubs for two main reasons.
As well as being difficult to smash, if they are broken then any dangerous shards are held together by a layer of resin.
The Glass Plus design has a thin layer of resin on the inside, while the Twin Wall model has two layers of glass bound together by resin.
According to Home Office figures, although alcohol-related violence has fallen by a third since 1997, there remain 87,000 glass attacks each year.
Mr Johnson told the launch at London's Design Council that the properties of the current pint glass are to blame.
He said: 'Having that weapon in your hand is an enormous part of why these injuries take place in the first instance.
'It's about bringing together all the talents of design and technology and innovation to find a solution to this problem.
'All being well, we'll find either one of these two projects, or even both of them, to be the kind of glasses you'll get pubs and clubs not just in this country but around the world.'
The development of the prototypes cost £175,000 and the Home Secretary believes it is money well spent.
'Just as we found with design against theft of mobile phones, design against car theft, it can have a huge payback in terms of reduced crime.
'This is a very small investment for a very big return,' he added.
Designers also claim that drinkers will see benefits beyond greater safety.
David Kester, chief executive of the Design Council, said: 'The twin walled glass actually will keep their beer colder for longer which is great.
'In tests, it's shown that the beer pours better, so beer connoisseurs are going to like it even more.'
