At the Labour party conference, the problems of drinking have surfaced with the promise of "drink asbos", which apparently, is not new as Councils already have the powers. I also read that alcohol retailers and producers are meeting this week to talk about the possibility of promoting lower strength drinks.But all of this is reacting rather than treating the cause. Go back a few years when "alcopops" first came out, we said it would cause kids to drink too much. We were told by the industry that wouldn't happen, but of course it has. More recently 24 hour drinking was introduced and we said it would give rise to more drink problems. We were told it wouldn't, but it has.
So, will they ban alcopops? No, of course they won't! Will we go back to limiting licensing hours? Of course we won't! And that's because in both cases the drinks industry might see a downturn in profits and that could never happen!
There are other possibilities. I suspect many wine drinkers are unaware of the steady increase in potency of wine. From 10% or so some years ago, wines are routinely 13% or more. That is a CONSIDERABLE jump! So why not put a greater duty on stronger wines? It has been mooted and scorn poured on the idea. Why is that? Oh, of course, it might dent the producers' profits again!
Another idea is to stop supermarkets cutting the price of drinks and pubs and bars having "happy hours". Another sensible idea. But this time it's the retailers who pour scorn on this - I'm sure you've guessed why - it's all about profit!
Welcome to the age when multi-national industry rules the country and governments do as they are told.
Bring back Last orders 1030pm, All in bed by 1130pm. They told us things could only get better but longer drinking hours has led to violence on the streets and increases in drug abuse.
ReplyDeleteThere are times I say lets turn the clock back and this is one of them times. Ginge:)