Tax to battle binge drinking?

Originally Posted by sarah

The British have been binge drinking for a long time (since the vikings). It's not a modern problem. This is worth a read.

Were you binge drinking when you posted that link?

Working link.

if they are going to tax beer then put it on the beer these kid binge drinkers get i.e 24 cans from supermarkets for a £10!!

why hammer pubs??

Originally Posted by mac99

Were you binge drinking when you posted that link?

Working link.

Probably

Binge drinking rules

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Ah yes, but you're missing the most important point as most people do in these situations.

That point is that no matter how awful parents may be, they're almost certainly going to be better than any half baked, poorly (if at all) thought out, outrageously expensive and ultimately useless policy that the government will come up to try and rectify the problem.

The government stepping back and letting people sort themselves out may take time and may mean things continue to get worse before they get better, but I think it's now become clear that incessant government meddling certainly isn't working.

I am afraid that on present evidence the government stepping back will do more than take time for the ship to right itself. The problem will simply multiply as without there being some kind of intervention from authority there appears too much of a tendency for the slob type element to just carry on and on.

Perhaps intervention or action is being considered also for the affect this loutish behaviour actually has on decently behaving people rather than simply being a means of chastising wrong doers?

I can see apects of life where too much interference has taken place and so understand your thinking, but really just sitting back and hoping that the flames eventually die down is no answer at all.

I am not a binge drinker so I would not know

But seriously this is really gettin stupid now, everything is going up in prices these days, do wages? Nope!

Originally Posted by sarah

Binge drinking rules

i agree............... whats the point in having a few pints/glasses wine etc


its all or nothing

Originally Posted by Lissa

Heard this story on Radio 1 news yesterday, and wondered what others thought of this idea? Personally, although I'm not a drinker, I think it's ridiculous to punish responsible adults for the illegal and/or binge-drinking actions of others.


'Top doctors are calling for a rise in the price of alcohol to combat Britain's growing booze problem.

They say it's because binge drinking's leaving 13 children a day in hospital and for the first time ever, people in their 20s are getting things like liver disease.

They say this could be tackled by an extra 20p tax on a pint of beer and a pound on a bottle of vodka.

They think it would stop up to a third of alcohol-related deaths, which have doubled since the 1990s.'

Doesn't make sense to me. On the on hand they were highlighting how young the kids are that are have drink problems (eg 10 year olds) and then going on to say how putting the price up would make it harder for kids to afford. Did they forget that it's already illegal for under 18s to buy drink? As for 20 year olds... I'm sure they have more disposable income than most. I know I did in my twentys. I agree with FS I'ts just part of a much bigger problem.

I reckon it'll be going up in price soon anyway - everything else so far has. Mainly to compensate for the ****ty crop we had this year as a result of the rain and the increase in transport costs.

Its a social symptom. Not a tax issue.

[SoulKiss]

By definition I am a binge drinker.

For the last year or so I have been on my bike nearly every day (well except for the 10 weeks Injury time).

So therefor I dont drink regularly.

But when I do go out for a drink, I usually have a good few pints)

I think that classes me as a bing drinker - ie nothing for weeks/months then 6 or 7 pints in a night.