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UK Drinking?

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DarkMajes71c | 12:50 Tue 22nd Jul 2008 | News
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7518843.stm

so basically they need to work out why people are drinking so much... my view is that they have made the UK to unhappy because people drink more when there not as happy. They need to encourage more people to do more things!!! i know many people who are at a loss at what to do with themselves if it doesn't involve going down the pub or out to a club or bar.

your thoughts?
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Here we go again, nanny state.

Just exactly how many of those in a bar or club out with the intent of getting hammered are going to take notice, unless of course they are looking for the cheapest way to get hammered quickly and now have an easy guide to it.

This Government has lost the plot - totally.
People drink because they like it. They now have more disposable income than they ever had before, and drinks are cheaper in real terms than they have ever been, and the result is more people are drinking more.

Contrary to people drinking because they are unhappy, it is because we are contented that they drink. The unhappiness comes from excess.
I dont drink so does that make me happy or unhappy???

I agree that disposable income is the main reason and that the appeal of bars/clubs has increased over the last 20-30 years. advertising also seems to make it look 'trendy' therefore it will always draw the young and impressionable in. perhaps once alcohol related deaths and illnesses reach a crtical point, the government will ban people from drinking in pubs like smoking. it will pretty much stop then!
People in this country have been heavy drinkers since Shakespeare's time and before.

It's culturally endemic one generation learning from the one before.

There's no easy answer.

Of course there are a group of people who try and blame the Government for everything and scream Nanny State the moment they take any action.

They probably yelled "Nanny state" when seat belts were made mandatory, when drink drive laws were imposed and their grandfathers were probably doing it when opium smoking was made illegal.
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it would be nice if just for once they would leave us to it.
I have banged on about this since this site opened, so once more is no problem -

The UK has a culture of drinking - it's called 'being drunk'.

The notion that extended opening hours would turn the UK into a 'cafe society' where Europeans drink for pleasure and as a social activity was a nonsense open only to ministers who holiday in France and think everyone drinks like they do when they are in Europe. It was never ever going to work, the government flew in the face of all the sane advice and infomration, including a quick trip down their constituancy high street on a Saturday night.

We have a society where being poisoined by alcohol is seen as the definition of a 'good time', and it is a concept we need to break at a very early age, which comes down to .....ta-dah ... EDUCATION!

So, another lost cause then .....

Until the government put money into education at the primary end, where children can be taught that brain rotting is not a good way to spend a weekend, then this situation will continue, and get worse.

So, another lost cause then ...
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drinking is part of the british culture & has been for centuries
if you want to point the finger for any fault blame the thatcher regime in 1988 & majors in 1994


So it's been going on for centuries but prime ministers in the last 30 years are to blame?
Of course!! How blind we've been!! Today's drinking culture/problems/yada yada yada are down to none other than Maggie and Major!!
That's that sorted out then.
Wonder what else we can blame them for?
I'll start with the fact that my local Clarks store didn't have my size in faux leather mocassins when i went in the other day.
FFS. give yourself an uppercut Steve
They need to encourage more people to do more things!!!

They? Who are �they�? I presume you mean the government? Other people have mentioned the government too, but I can�t see how - or why - anyone can, or should, lay the blame at the door of this government, or any other government. That�s a cop out, and it�s an excuse. No one is forcing alcohol down our throats, and ultimately we must all take responsibility for ourselves. We have an unhealthy culture in this country where drinking is concerned. Some people appear to see drinking to excess as rather clever, or cool, and actually go out intending to get drunk - and unless they succeed, they don�t feel that they�ve enjoyed themselves. Laws can�t cure the problem. No law can alter someone�s mindset, and that�s what needs to be changed. It�s been done with drinking and driving, and it�s been done with smoking - both are now generally frowned upon - and if the same could be done with alcohol misuse and abuse, possibly by highlighting the dangers of drunkenness, and the lack of dignity and self-respect that drunkenness espouses, then the culture may begin to change.

(Vic, I think I might be agreeing with you here to some extent! Is it time to pop the champagne, or shall we wait and see?) :o)
I think the government have the wrong target, IMHO the supermarkets are the biggest offenders rather than the bars and clubs. Most people get a huge carry out and drink it before they go out and then go out half cut or worse, cause trouble when they spill onto the streets at 2am and the councils blame the clubs when in fact Mr Tesco/Adsa/Morrisons etc are actually the ones plying people with 16 cans for �8 or 48 cans for �20 etc.etc.
Drink is not cheap in bars and clubs!!!! It is cheap in supermarkets! The problem is that the government wont want to upset Mr Tesco and the supermarkets will claim that it is against competion rules for them to interfere with their pricing policies.
yes vic,
you really are stupid!
It also doesnt help that the popular media portray it as funny and cool if a celebrity gets plastered at an awards ceremony or night out. What do they do? big double page spread about the celebrity lad/ladette and make impressionable youngsters think it is acceptable and trendy to get out yer face.
leave us drunks alone you bible bashing freak.
Price is one factor why we are drinking more alcohol, but to blame the Supermarkets and longer opening hours is a cop out.

Would you blame the Supermarkets for obesity (they do sell cheap food)? If you closed all the pubs at 9pm and stopped the shops selling 3% Lager at 40p a can, the problem would not be solved. You cannot legislate for people's indifference to the harm they are doing to themselves.

Everyone knows that if you go out and drink 8 pints or if you stay in and have a bottle of wine, then that is not good. The problem is, that people still do it even though they know it is bad.
No Gromit, the government blame McDonalds for obesity. And the comparison is unfair as Obese people are only harming themselves (unless they fall on someone). Drunken chavs cause anti-social behaviour which affects communities, innocent bystanders who get beat up not to mention the police and nurses who have to deal with the fallout.

It is not 3% lager they punt cheap, its Stella and Magners, its mind blowing 5%+ stuff, I know as I love my Magners and Ice (in moderation of course). It can be bought for about �1 a pint on special in Asda but it'll cost you �3-�3.50 in a club hence encouraging you to buy and drink more before you go out.
The link and question is about the health dangers of alcohol. Chavs and anti social behaviour is a completely different aspect of alcohol abuse.

The 5%+ Stellas and Magners are 3 times dearer than the stuff you originally quoted, 48 cans for �20 (41p) is for the rubbish. You would probably drown on that before it got you drunk. As you say, cheaper than the clubs, but if it was price sensitive, you would buy the 41p stuff not �1+ Magners.

The Government does not blame McDonald's for obesity.
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naomi - clink, hiccup.......
Flipping heck! Doubt it will last though, so best make the most of it. Cheers! :o)

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