Should the new alcohol law of 2003 be repealed?
Sarah Huckerby Karen Kulas
Should the new alcohol law of 2003 be repealed?
November 2005 saw the United Kingdom change its law to a new twenty-four hour drinking, similar to that of Europe, The theory behind this new law suggests Britain can change and re-educate themselves into making adult choices about drinking. Britain can be seen to take time for this to develop so that it may change the drinking culture that is currently evident.
Changing drinking culture in the United Kingdom through 24 hour drinking can be seen as the way forward to adopt a more continental way of life. Where it is seen as more family orientated and individuals have more choices when and how much to drink, however The United Kingdom have a temperance culture (Levine 1992) which rises to the term Binge drinking, a term used to explain the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time, which leads to a rapid increase of alcohol in the blood. The most common accepted definition of an excessive amount of alcohol is two times the daily intake provided by the government; 3-4 unit's a day for men and 2-3 for women (www.the.portmangroup.co.uk 30September 2006) Binge drinking is a habit which is more common on the 16-24 age group however it occasionally extends into the early 30s. Government studies have revealed that 23% of the adult male population of the female population are binge drinkers (MORI poll 2003) their drinking habits and the problems they cause within society; binge drinking is by no means a modern statistic. This can be said due to a new disposable income, the way we take leisure time, and a rise in acceptance of drinking, additionally there is an increase in the number of off licences and outlets for the sale of alcohol. One of the main reasons for the biggest offender age groups of binge drinking is because teenagers and young adults are curious and like to experiment with alcohol. One of the factors they bring to binge drinking is that alcohol gives them more confidence, and it can be seen to increase their enjoyment in social surroundings, furthermore it can be seen that it is simply a way to get around boredom of life. Many advertisements for alcohol purposefully target the younger person
Sarah Huckerby
For example Alco pops which are sweet and sugary and have a trendy image, with cool trendy names like "wicked" that appeal to a lot to teenagers.
One of the most detrimental effects is the increase in criminal activity caused by the drunkenness of those in the community. Drinking and driving is the leading cause of death amongst young people aged 15-24 and 65% of murders take place when an attacker has been drunk, statistics also show that one third of all people are intoxicated when they are arrested.
Excessive alcohol consumption over ...
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Sarah Huckerby
For example Alco pops which are sweet and sugary and have a trendy image, with cool trendy names like "wicked" that appeal to a lot to teenagers.
One of the most detrimental effects is the increase in criminal activity caused by the drunkenness of those in the community. Drinking and driving is the leading cause of death amongst young people aged 15-24 and 65% of murders take place when an attacker has been drunk, statistics also show that one third of all people are intoxicated when they are arrested.
Excessive alcohol consumption over an extended period of time is also extremely heavy on a drinkers health, sometimes leading to Liver cirrhosis, digestive damage, a low level of fertility, muscle and joint inflammation, premature dementia, heart disease and a greatly increased risk of cancer due to a poor immune system, such illnesses cost the NHS around 1.7 Billion pounds a year (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3121440.stm)
Additionally Accident and emergency staff have also been attacked and most departments have security staff now in place a much less problem, is that of public disturbances caused by rowdy revellers leaving drinking establishments under the influences of alcohol the shouting,swearing,vomiting and fighting causes noise pollution and disrupts local residents in that area.
In order to transform the attitudes of U.K drinkers and establish a drinking culture similar to that found in Southern Europe, government officials have emphasised the importance of educating the public (especially youths) about the dangers associated with excessive drinking.
Education in schools provides students with plenty of information regarding the dangers of drugs and unprotected sex, however binge drinking is a rather neglected, in fact that current government policy intends to change Home office Minister Caroline Flint commented "all schools must now have sound alcohol education policies in place" (December 2004 http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases October 16 2006)
However, despite the intentions behind this education policy it is unlikely
Sarah Huckerby
That it will have the desired long term effects on this country, alcohol consumption culture as past education campaigns have only proved successful when given in an high profile and are seen to b a public priority, on the other hand the patterns of today's youth and binge drinking does not seem to be altering their alcohol consumption habits.
For many youths and students in particular, binge drinking is a way of life and nearly all Universities in the U.K have student unions bars where cheap drink is offered and bars and nightclubs hold student nights, with cheap entry and cheap drinks are readily available, knowledge of possible dangers does not seem to be able to alter that.
Following the government's current methods of involvement regarding current binge drinking policy. The NHS is to be subjected to more involvement from the government than ever before. Extra guidance and training of health professionals as well as massive financial investments within the NHS is to take place. The intention is to provide those working in the health service to identify and treat alcohol abuse at an early stage an additional scheme focusing on the Accident and emergency department of hospitals is to be piloted. The benefits of this are that people who are endangering their health through irresponsible drinking habits can be given advice and warnings from professionals who have been trained to help; this may have positive effects on the drinking habits of some binge drinkers regarding long term illnesses.
Additionally support groups have been set up mainly for families of Alcohol sufferers and individuals, The Portman group or www.drinkaware.co.uk have been set up to educate the masses regarding alcohol units, which confuses a lot of the public with statements like "Can I save my units for a Friday night?" (www.drink.aware.co.uk 10October 2006) which generally shows un-education and unawareness and warning bells for Binge drinking within that statement, furthermore Domestic violence groups may well be hoping this new law will see a drop in violence against women, which is a huge problem with binge drinking, additionally drinking at home also has its problems, unknown units and measures can lead to violence and accidents within the home needing Emergency help, and even alcohol poisoning and furthermore death.
Sarah Huckerby
In November 2005 the Violent crime reduction bill was also introduced, It contains strong new powers to help deal with binge drinkers who are responsible for crime and other anti-social behaviour, as well as helping to ensure that pubs and bars sell alcohol responsibly. The bill gives police the powers to place 48 hour trading bans on pubs whom are selling
alcohol to people already intoxicated and under-age drinkers. It also
introduces drinking banning orders or Alcohol free zones, which will ban drunken disorderly behaviour from certain areas; these were created under the Bill, whereby licensed premises within that area are required to take responsibility for dealing with alcohol related disorder.
The crackdown was announced as a success as an average 9% drop in alcohol related crime was recorded in those areas tackled however, closure of bars or clubs, may only take customers to other areas, and furthermore could shift more violence to other areas.
Despite the governments alleged concern over binge drinking and the health and crime associated with it, after viewing current policies it is difficult to identify whether the aim is to actually cut down levels of binge drinking or merely the crime which often results from it.
The desire to recreate Southern Europe's drinking culture in the U.K suggests that it is alcohol related crime which is the government's main concern, rather than that of the health of the nation. The total amount of alcohol per annum consumed in these countries is higher than in the U.K and would result in even more alcohol related illness and disease.
Although a good starting point, the restricted freedom of alcohol advertisements, do not go far enough to ensure a change in the well established drinking patterns in the U.K. The government additionally has not chosen to increase the price of alcohol as officials claim it would have side effects. The 2003 licensing act gives the clearest indication of the governments true intentions in relation to binge drinking. Extended opening hours ensures that high levels of alcohol will still be consumed which is going have a huge effect on the health of U.K citizens, but beneficial to the alcohol taxes received by the government.
