Why does the government refuse to bring in more control on alcohol?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080304/tuk-uk-britain-alcohol-fa6b408.html

How about:-

Drinking age limit 14 to 21 - allowed to drink in private and public with a responsible adult but not allowed to purchase drinks themselves.

21 and over - allowed to drink

No more 24 hour drinking

Drinking in public limited more so fewer alcohol only places:-

Licences for alcohol served with meals and in clubs 70%

Licences for alcohol in bars and pubs 30%

FACT IS PEOPLE IN UK CANNOT BE TRUSTED AND THERE IS A DRINKING TO EXCESS CULTURE THAT HAS GOT WAY OUT OF CONTROL SADLY

Answer 1

We are supposed to be a democracy.  The majority of the adult populations drinks and a significant proportion drinks to excess.  Prohibition is counterproductive (we already have prohibition on marijuana and that just makes it more glamorous).

The only way out of the problem is to change culture.  Drinking is seen as adult and tough.  We need to associate it with being weak and childish.

Lets toughen up on the laws about being drunk and incapable in a public place.  If the licencee lets you get drunk, it's his responsibility to keep you indoors until you're sober.  Instead of taking drunks to hospital, let's have pounds where we lock them up until the morning.  If a few don't survive, it should help to encourage the others.

Answer 2

Yes just what we need, a Nanny state saying what we can and cannot do.  Besides look at the continent, they can drink under 18 yet they dont have this problem.  That lies with the morons who dont know how to control themselves.  I know I was fine with alcohol when I was in my teens like I am sure many other posters on here were.

Answer 3

Its sad but simple.....because alcohol rakes in the moolah.

Answer 4

It's not alcohol that need controlling it's the pillocks that can't handle it that should be locked up.

You shouldn't drink on an empty head.

Answer 5

If they brought in these measures they would lose billions of pounds in tax revenue.  They would have to recoup this elsewhere so everybody's tax would go up.

Answer 6

As my good wife said, 'If Britian did not have taxes,how would they earn money.' And it is true what are we as a country worth?

We have nothing but tax a bit of oil,gas but not much else. But in her country they have oil,bitumen,gold,diamonds,timber,boxite (aluminum) etc,etc. We as citizens are paying taxes to walk safely on our streets,who feels safe these days? Alcohol is a big problem in our society.

Answer 7

The law needs to be changed so the police have the powers to respond and also parents and teachers need to get back disipline.

Answer 8

Make age for buying alcohol 21 and heavy fines for anyone selling alcohol to anyone under 21. Problem solved!

Answer 9

I think you will probably get replies indicating that the government are just interested in making money out of us.  However, my observations of the British lead me to think that they constantly cry 'nanny state' if the government want to do anything.  

Unfortunately, there are some irresponsible parents that will still enable their indisciplined offspring to have alcohol to drink outside of the home.

I agree with everything you say.

Answer 10

How about educating people about how its not so pretty to end up in the gutter after every night out without the ability to control your own bodily functions.

You dont see this binge drinking culture in the rest of europe where children are educated from a young age that you should enjoy the taste of proper alcohol (not something that tastes like ribena) rather than shoving the biggest amount down your throat in the shortest period of time.

I dont think any laws about age limits or 24 hour drinking will make a blind bit of difference.  Its no wonder we also have the higest rate of teenage pregnancy as well.

Answer 11

How about:

People take responsibility for their own actions, drink responsibly and not try and blame the government for trying to bring us in line with the rest of Europe, which we are part of remember, who manage to have 24 hour drinking without the mobbish violence that some members of society think is normal in this country.

(sorry if that sounded a bit harsh, not aimed at you but the hideous people who binge drink then say it's someone else's fault for letting them drink!)

Answer 12

I completely agree with you! The government on many aspects is negligent, and I was mad this morning when I discovered that Mr Brown is still planning to let pubs and clubs have 24 hr licenses. The truth as what someone was saying on the radio the other day?:

- I myself go to stay with my partner in Edinburgh some weekends. Instead of enjoying my weekends, they are ruined, when, every single night between 12-3am, my sleep is ruined and disturbed as yet another rowdy irritating drunk staggers up the street, shouting abuse, singly loudly and urinating everywhere.

- Also, alcohol induced fights happen most weekends around the same time. It makes us very frightened, but sadly the police do nothing to help.

- In English hospitals (and Scottish) there has been a 12% increase on alcohol related incidents being brought in, eg fights, alcohol poisoning.

- Kids drink on our streets and cause mayhem.

I do like your approach. If people aged 14-21 were allowed to drink in private with supervision, then the whole alcohol culture would be "deglamorised".

And I 100% back you on the no more 24 hr drinking, license thing. What a shame we have such a negligent government!

Answer 13

I can never understand why it is an offence to be drunk and disorderly, but no one ever seems to be up in front of a magistrate because of it!

Bring back the stocks.

Answer 14

I agree, nothing will be done ,Gordon Brown is getting to much tax of alcohol, so we have to put up with the drunks and the disorderly

Answer 15

There is already sufficient control on alcahol.  We are talking about a minority that is being hyped by the media.  the vast majority can enjoy alcahol sensibly and should not be punished for the activities of a few idiot teenagers.

Answer 16

I agree, the age limit should be raised, also opening times reduced, lunch times 11 til 2pm evenings 6 til 11pm.

Answer 17

Government hypocrisy - just like urging everyone to stop smoking for health reasons, while knowing full well that this would bankrupt the exchequer!

Answer 18

Hmm, would the vast ammounts of money made on tax be anything to do with it? They are too short sighted to realise that they are spending even more on police/NHS expenses bcause of the problems with longer opening hours and cheap alchohol, they just care about the short term 'we can get money from this'!!!

We do not have the culture over here like they do in Europe. Your ideas are pretty sound and would work.