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May 23, 2005
Joined Up Thinking?
So happy hour is being banned in 32,000 pubs run by members of the British Beer and Pub Association. The ban has been introduced in an attempt to cut down on binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. All in all, this seems a very sensible and laudable step, taken by an independant body with a possible vested interest in doing nothing.So of course given Tony Blair's emphasis on increasing respect in society and a desire to curb anti-social behaviour, we'd expect to see the government introducing related measures to address excessive and inappropriate consumption of alcohol.
But Blair had already reaffirmed his commitment to 24 hour opening for Pubs and Bars, instead relying on tougher new application and review processes, along with additional police powers, to control the situation. Which is all very well, but these powers are to be made available to address a problem that has arisen, rather than prevent the situation in the first place.
And binge drinking is just one part of the problem. While there are many people who go out and get hammered as quickly as possible, allowing pubs and bars to serve for 24 hours may just delay the inevitable point in time where a person has had too much alcohol and becomes abusive, violent, incapable, etc. The real problem is inappropriate and excessive consumption of alcohol, regardless of whether it is the result of a 4 hour saturday night session, an all-day boozing bout or the intake of vast quantities of off-sales from supermarkets.
If the government is truly concerned about the effects of alcohol on society, then 24 hour opening isn't the solution. Increasing awareness of the consequences and better education would all appear to be more appropriate uses of the government's time and effort. Isn't it strange that smoking in public places is being banned for health reasons, yet very little is being done with regard to alcohol. For once, couldn't we have a bit more balance, or is the brewing lobby just too powerful?
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Posted by Clive on May 23, 2005 10:46 AM in the category Old Stuff