Is that really going to work? Adding 40p to a large bottle of cider?
The government are right that it’s the “pre-loading” issue that seems to be the problem – or “pre-lash” as the teenagers call it. That is where they drink their body weight of alcohol in the comfort of somebody’s home or in a field or park and then stagger off out to drink water and another 85 shots if they can afford it before getting into fights they can’t remember (if they’re lucky) for the remainder of the evening.
It is ridiculous. The way they drink. I don’t really understand why they have to be so extreme. It’s dangerous. They have black outs. Break limbs. Get into trouble. But I’m really not sure that increasing the price is the answer. I know we aren’t great role models – I mean they have just found out that adults over 45 were 3 times more likely to drink on a daily basis than younger people – but the point is we don’t drink to oblivion. We drink to enhance an evening. We don’t tend to binge drink and it’s the binging that causes the damage.
Perhaps, given that liver disease has increased by 25% in the last 8 years and now 1 in 10 people in their 40’s are actually dying from it it is time to do something a little more drastic. Like put photographs of liver cirrhosis on bottles….
Well that won’t work either but maybe it’s too late for this generation – the drinking culture is too entwined with peer pressure and what I mean is most of them will be fine and calm down soon I hope – it’s the next lot we need to focus on – the 16 year olds and under and maybe we have to go into schools and teach them how to drink in moderation. With days off. In between. And photographs. Of horrid things. That will put them off.
Kelloggsville
March 24, 2012I think our younger citizens also drink ”to enhance their evening’ in their eyes. Many of my friends and OH binge (by government standards) at least twice a week they just do it in what we middle agers see as a socially acceptable environment. Our younger generations don’t see a problem with what they are doing either. That’s the problem we all ‘think’ what we do is ok. We have to stop focusing on the method and teach the medical (as you said).. I’m jut precising your post aren’t I? I’ll shut up now! Lol
Expat Mum
March 24, 2012My (American) husband blames the ridiculous old licensing laws on the binge-drink mentality in the UK.(Not that he’s defending the ridiculous 21 age minimum here.)
Until very recently, the times you could get a drink in a pub were so limited that people went nuts when they were allowed to drink. I remember in the 80’s, some people used to order a last drink with a “chaser” to get as much alcohol down their necks before being chucked out. And don’t get me started on holiday makers diving into the booze on an 8am flight to the Costa Del Sol.
It’s very interesting that young kids in countries like France and Italy are perfectly content to meet in coffee shops and otherwise not get themselves obliterated all in the name of a “good night out”.
Family Affairs
March 24, 2012Yes I don’t understand how French and Italian kids are so different from British kids…..I blame the parents Lx