Scots drinking proposals

curleyted · 02-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Anyone seen this? I hope they don't try introducing them down here... does anyone really think that increasing the age limit from which you can buy alcohol from an offie will change much? Back in my day you just used to get 'bigger boys' to buy it for you, or in the case of some of my mates their parents!

KMH · 03-03-2009, 01:44 PM

I just had a look at what you posted, I found on the guardian that they're not only raising the age limit but the minimum unit price...

"Under the scheme, alcohol cannot be sold below a minimum price per unit, which has yet to be set, although Scottish ministers suggested a level of around 40p.

This will mean a bottle of 13 per cent wine could not be sold for less than £3.90, a six-pack of four per cent lager £4.22, and a bottle of 40 per cent whisky would be at least £11.20.

Promotions, such as three-for-two offers, are to be banned, while the display and marketing of drink is to be restricted to specific areas in shops."
Hmm. Like you said I just hope it's not coming our way! I don't think the age limit will make any difference (like in the case of cigarettes) It'll just mean hanging around longer outside spa for a willing volunteer.

Months_man · 03-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMH

I just had a look at what you posted, I found on the guardian that they're not only raising the age limit but the minimum unit price...

"Under the scheme, alcohol cannot be sold below a minimum price per unit, which has yet to be set, although Scottish ministers suggested a level of around 40p.

This will mean a bottle of 13 per cent wine could not be sold for less than £3.90, a six-pack of four per cent lager £4.22, and a bottle of 40 per cent whisky would be at least £11.20.

Promotions, such as three-for-two offers, are to be banned, while the display and marketing of drink is to be restricted to specific areas in shops."
Hmm. Like you said I just hope it's not coming our way! I don't think the age limit will make any difference (like in the case of cigarettes) It'll just mean hanging around longer outside spa for a willing volunteer.

I think the only way we can make any impact in cutting down the amount people drink is take the same approach as the Americans and make it almost criminal to have a drink. When I was in the states a few years ago I got chatting to a 19 year old guy and he said that he was currently on probation because he got pulled over by the police whilst driving and he has an unopened six-pack on his back seat. he had not consumed any, but by simply being in possession of it, he was breaking the law and charged. The whole British mentality towards alcohol needs to be addressed, rather than just raising the price of a drink.

curleyted · 04-03-2009, 10:20 AM

I think you're wrong Months_man - we need a more tolerant attitude to alcohol, but that will take time.

Half the problem is the fact that we 'drink to get drunk' in this country and don't drink in moderation. Kids see their parents plastered anytime they drink alcohol and assume that's the way you should always 'enjoy' it.

KMH · 04-03-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Months_man

I think the only way we can make any impact in cutting down the amount people drink is take the same approach as the Americans and make it almost criminal to have a drink. When I was in the states a few years ago I got chatting to a 19 year old guy and he said that he was currently on probation because he got pulled over by the police whilst driving and he has an unopened six-pack on his back seat. he had not consumed any, but by simply being in possession of it, he was breaking the law and charged. The whole British mentality towards alcohol needs to be addressed, rather than just raising the price of a drink.

I agree with curly ted, we need to change the approach to drinking but not to make it forbidden, British drinking culture is all wrong at the moment.. I recently went to Berlin where its part of everyday life to drink, I saw loads of people on the tube coming home from work just having a chat with a can of beer in hand. Theres rarely any binge drinking over there because its normal to drink regularly and it's not taboo.
Its the same when I went to Denmark. Children are brought up around it so when they reach the age limit they don't go crazy because its been in their daily lifes for so long.

Months_man · 04-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Unless we take a tougher legal stance towards drinking, it will take generations to bring the UK's drinking culture in line with that of most of Europe.

All of these Government initiatives will have little impact in people's current attitude towards drink. I strongly believe that we need to add an element of prohibition to drinking to see any changes in people's attitude.

RedSquirrel · 04-03-2009, 05:25 PM

I think KMH has hit on the main point. Most Europeans (spot the broad generalisation brush here) have a drink to relax and be social, in the civilised sense. Brits seem to drink to get drunk.

Maybe as a nation we have a total failure to communicate or bond socially in any other way than meeting up for a drink. Through what means would guys be able to bond if it were not for going to the pub to watch football? It's also a way to relax out of the British stiff upper lip, and the repression and tension of all those situations you endure during the working week where 'I wish I could have said that to them' to the point where we need to get drunk to have that release.

Can we really get out of this way of thinking buy putting prices up or with increased health warnings? I very much doubt it.

Just thinking a loud, please feel free to disagree with me

Is it only Wednesday? My word I need a drink

ShortStraw · 05-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Months_man

Unless we take a tougher legal stance towards drinking, it will take generations to bring the UK's drinking culture in line with that of most of Europe.

All of these Government initiatives will have little impact in people's current attitude towards drink. I strongly believe that we need to add an element of prohibition to drinking to see any changes in people's attitude.

Tell someone they can't do something and they'll pretty quickly start doing it! This is especially true for kids.

Months_man · 05-03-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortStraw

Tell someone they can't do something and they'll pretty quickly start doing it! This is especially true for kids.

Like Heroin?

RedSquirrel · 05-03-2009, 01:16 PM

And another thing!

Also slightly off the main point but... 'Under age drinking'

Why do they always blame alco pops for people drinking under age?? When I was admittedly underage and wanted to go out drinking there was no way I could afford alco pops, I probably still couldn't afford to get drunk on the things. We used to aim for the super-mega-suicide strength lager and cider. Surely it's these drinks that should be targeted? They taste like toxic waste and there is no way you can convince me anyone would drink them socially and responsibly.