UK Drinking Problems

By John Barratt
31st January, 2011

We have a drinking problem, so let’s raise booze prices. What a load of tosh! When will ministers start to look at the real issues?

Did you know that the legal minimum drinking age in the UK without a doctor’s medical note is just 5 years old? This means that children at any private party or property can consume alcohol and there is nothing that the police can do about it.

This could also extend to camp sites, private parties in hired buildings and alike. That’s the law.

It is also legal to consume wine, beer or cider with a table meal in a restaurant at the age of 16 or 17 so long as there is an adult in the group and the adult purchases the beverages. So, one 18-year old and a group of 17, going on 18 year-olds could pile into the local restaurant and get totally blitzed and that is allowed within the law. Maybe there was an 18 year-old purchasing the beverages for this tragic accident in Cornwall :http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-12287323

It is absolutely pathetic that those who are in some way invited to persuade the rule makers can think of nothing else than to raise the price of alcohol. Somehow, these people believe that raising and setting the minimum prices is the answer to the UK booze problems. Abject nonsense!

Young people can get booze from a variety of places and, due to UK barmy booze laws, if they are under age, they can consume it just about anywhere except a pub.

If the laws were changed to make it illegal to drink under the age of 18, police could be given the power to raid a private property where it believed there is under-age drinking. Today, such an occasions is usually marked by kids rolling out of a house and puking on the lawn or singing up and down the street with a back-drop of loud music and the absence of any grown-up being in control. Quite easy to spot and report really. It seems that it is common practice amongst the younger drinkers - when mum and dad are away, invite all your mates round for a party.

References used...

Advice Guide

BBC

Wikipedia