General Chat

ok..here is the evidence from BBC website: Taxes on alcohol should be increased in an effort to encourage people to drink less, according to scientists. A report by the Academy of Medical Sciences also calls for tighter restrictions on the amount of alcohol Britons can bring in from abroad. They said urgent action is needed to tackle 'runaway alcohol consumption'. Alcohol consumption has increased by 50% since 1970. The government is due to publish a strategy for tackling Britain's booze culture shortly. 'Taking its toll' The AMS report, called Calling Time, warns that heavy drinking is taking its toll. It says deaths from cirrhosis of the liver have increased nine-fold since the 1970s. Around 70% of these deaths are caused by too much alcohol. The country has reached a point where it is necessary and urgent to call time on runaway alcohol consumption Sir Michael Marmot It highlights figures showing that heavy drinking costs Britain billions of pounds a year. The annual cost of alcohol-related crime and public disorder has been estimated at £7.3bn, the cost to employers has been put at £6.4bn and the cost to the NHS is around £1.7bn. At least 15,000 hospital admissions and one in three visits to A&E are alcohol-related. The report says making alcohol less affordable is one way of trying to tackle the problem. It suggests a 10% increase in the price of drink could cut alcohol-related deaths by up to a third. It calls for EU travel allowances to be changed so that people can only bring less alcohol into the country. In addition, it says drink driving limits should be lower and there should be a review of alcohol advertising. 'The pleasure alcohol brings has to be balanced against the harms,' said Professor Sir Michael Marmot, of University College London and one of those involved in the report. 'A strategic programme is needed now to curb the nation's escalating level of drinking in the interests of both individual and public health. 'The country has reached a point where it is necessary and urgent to call time on runaway alcohol consumption.' :-)

right thats it *reports thread to abuse*

Wendy - don't insult me ;-) lol Actually I've entered myself into a politics competition today - anyone one know anything about the Scottish prison and penal system? :-)

Now that it (well, red wine) has been scientifically proved to prolong life, there would be a case for challenging any attempt to reduce consumption as unlawful.... an infringement of human rights. len Ps you had better be careful as you may find yourself in the dock charged with causing an affray

ok Lucia....and hey no one is slagging you off here babe ok!!! but........ do you really want to spoil our fun as a widespread ban!!?? It will be no smoking, no drinking, no swearing, no happiness, no naughty stuff, no debating, no drugs, no sex, no rock n roll.......can i breathe still please??? lolol

lol Len :-) I'm thinking every time I express my opinions there's a whole majority against. Maybe I should post some more threads about my political views and see just how many more people disagree with me lol :-)

i think Bendy's comment was actually meant as a compliment sweetheart

lol Jill :-)

You post away Lucia - I love your threads!! lol

I know about the scottish penal system!!!!!!!! Drink too much get drunk cause a riot, smoke in a public place from march 26th and get thrown into jail - do not pass go - do not collect £200 ROFLMAO

pmsl Jill, What are your reasons why there shouldn't be a tax on alcohol? I mean...why not? lol :-)

Go eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with merry heart, for God hath already approved what you do. Ecclesiastes. You are treading dangerous ground, Lucia; disputing the bible now Lol. len

Aww Lucia we are only having a laugh with you !! Sorry Kaz :o)

do you have any idea how much a bottle of wine or bottle of vodka costs already!!!!!! and you want me to pay more!!!!! *faints*

Lucia We dispute what you propose on principle....we do not necessarily disagree. Len

OI!!!! Len I do!!!! I totally disagree!!! lolol

As a brewer for forty years (even though I am now overseas) I would dispute that alcohol consumption has risen 50% since 1970 - in most countries it has declined on a per capita basis. It may also cost millions - but consider how much is already gathered in tax - bet your life the government shows a profit. Peter

hee hee I'm too young to have an informed opinion on anything. I expect when I'm older I'll change my mind. So far I haven't acquired a taste for drink lol so friends are getting pi**ed and I'm sitting at home reading a book lol :-)

Fred, I think I'll change my views - oh that's so bad isn't it? lol I thought that increasing tax on alcohol would stop alcohol abuse. I was thinking that cheap stuff that neds drink and get drunk on - the stuff where you don't notice the effects for a while could have increased tax. I'm not for prohibition or anything - nothing wrong with drinking in moderation. :-)