I have always been quite partial to booze. From the age of 16, some twenty plus years ago, I would enjoy it. A Friday night would consist of a few pints, a small bottle for the way home... for about a fiver. Don't think I was irresponsible, though.
So there does seems to be a problem with some young people now. Fair enough. Why is the media's response to talk about putting duty on all booze up. What is it that cause the problems among the teenagers? Super-strength cider, cheap lager, alcohops? Or £5 bottles of wine, £2 bottles of bitter?
Don't put duty on booze up. Some of it is expensive enough. And we can always stock up abroad. What I do think is wrong is selling booze as a loss leader. You would not sell fags as a loss leader. And why is cider's duty so much less than beer? Work out what these young people drink, and tackle that.
Funnily enough, all three parties more or less agree. The media don't have a clue.
Red Kite
About Me
- SBS
- I am married with two children. I recently qualified as a secondary school teacher, but I am unable to teach at the moment as I am fighting a brain tumour. I am passionate about Red Kites - hence the picture. I also claim to be a Liberal Democrat, though at times I struggle. When I need inspiration, I usually find the Stranglers provide the ultimate musical experience.
3 comments:
It sounds as though you would be in favour of minimum pricing for alcohol - which would raise the price of white ciders and the cheapest wines, beers and spirits whilst leaving the majority of drinks untouched. That's a policy that the SNP has tried to introduce but without much enthusiasm from other parties.
Yes.
Ahh the old days of the Yew Tree with a few beers and a bottle of nun's delight for the walk home, paying individually and sitting outside whatever the weather! But we never caused any trouble, were always polite and that continued when we graduated to town drinking in the Druids Head in Earl Street. The thing is the majority of kids or certainly those I teach are aware of the dangers and risks of binge drinking and won't condone it at all but outside of school they go nuts and fruits and bonkers!
Jochen
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