should the alcohol laws be repealed
Sarah Huckerby
Should the new Alcohol laws be repealed?
A new by the government in 2003, which came in effect in November 2005 interpreted a new sense of living and can be said was deemed as a lifestyle choice, A boost to the economy, and the Leisure and Tourism Industries, however with the rise in binge drinking, public disorder, the government suggests the New Act of 2003 it may well make a difference to our society.
The above underlined issues are to be explained within this essay, why has this law came into effect, life before, and the impact it will have on our people and our issues.
It is evident that the United Kingdom economy may well see a rise in Duty tax from the extra sales of alcohol, in the same way Britain again may well see a rise in extra Tourism to our towns and cities, nonetheless "Britain as much higher import tax compared to the European Union" www.foodnavigator.com September 20 2006.
Looking at this it can be said the United Kingdom Government suggests adopting a keeping up with the "Jones" attitude to the European Union, furthermore European countries have had extended Licenses for many years, with respect to Licenses, the new act of 2003 that needs to be applied for shows it is a combined license, a one rounded application, whether it is a nightclub, Theatre, pub, restaurant, with this is mind it is said to cut down on "red" tape. In reality it is found "They are not simple things and take time to process" Shadow Culture secretary May. Theresa. BBC.co.uk September 20 2006.
Additionally pub licensees have resulted in they have been given unrealistic time scales, recent surveys indicate only 0.5 percent of licensed premises have applied for twenty-four hour drinking www.bbc.co.uk September 21.2006 and suggests that those applied are merely for flexibility for private functions and special occasions, besides in reality it is evident that this activity happened before the new Act of 2003 and seated firmly in our Traditional English culture.
Sarah Huckerby
Before the 2003 Act, Traditional English drinking had always been set times, 11pm would be the "Last orders" and furthermore Sunday evening was 10.30pm, ...
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Additionally pub licensees have resulted in they have been given unrealistic time scales, recent surveys indicate only 0.5 percent of licensed premises have applied for twenty-four hour drinking www.bbc.co.uk September 21.2006 and suggests that those applied are merely for flexibility for private functions and special occasions, besides in reality it is evident that this activity happened before the new Act of 2003 and seated firmly in our Traditional English culture.
Sarah Huckerby
Before the 2003 Act, Traditional English drinking had always been set times, 11pm would be the "Last orders" and furthermore Sunday evening was 10.30pm, in addition before 1988 pubs closed around 3pm and re opened at 7pm.
It is said because of stricter set times patrons could be seen to be doubling up on their alcohol quantities, and would be requiring extra drinking time, which came in the shape of a nightclub, that closed at 2 or 3pm. Because of this Patrons were all emptying premises at the same time, causing a Mass exodus effect, next it is found individuals were hanging around the streets waiting for transport home, Very often outbursts of violence would indeed evolve, "the government deemed this with exacerbated binge drinking coupled with an increase in violence" www.sirc.org.co.uk 1 October 2006
Public disorder, violence and crime, are the main emphasis in the new Act 2003, it states also laid down that other elements are Public safety and prevention of public nuisance, chiefly this draws up new powers to the Local authorities, in addition designated public zones called No alcohol zones are being put into place, it can be seen that this may result in "No go zones" and suggests to residents, visitors and tourists they are areas of crime and violence, the consequence of this could show more of a marked area of disorder and Councils may well not want to participate in this, however "Premises that open later are always open to public debate with the local residents" www.culture.gov.uk October 2 2006.
Indeed if the Culture section were honest about that statement, would Local councils always give a local debate for the residents near establishments, would Councils offer this to residents.
Public disorder is one of the most primary concerns in the new law of 2003, and confirms to clamp down heavily on patrons whom seem very intoxicated and are trying to gain more alcohol, fixed penalties for patrons found vomiting in the streets, consequently refusing alcohol to a person intoxicated could result in further violence and disorder, similarly goes for vomiting, in reality can cause confusion and violence.
The governments own website have suggested "By relaxing our ways of licensing violent incidents will be reduced significantly" www.labour.co.uk 26 September 2006. The government within this have stated that police will be able to man their forces more efficiently and would give Police officers away to more needed emergencies and duties, in reality the government have a good point, although in reality patrons leaving at different times suggests staggered cultures however, individuals may have been drinking many hours leave premises at 1am, violence may well still disrupt, we can see from this that police may still have a job on their hands on the other hand, the government have produced new Street wardens or Community patrols for this reason to take the workload off the Police, unfortunately it is shown that these can only make Citizen arrests and merely pass on information to the Police or the Local
Authorities, and ambulance staff and local NHS hospitals.
Sarah Huckerby
With the publics health in mind, the new law of 2003 had health issues in place.
There is a lot of emphasis on the term Binge drinking, this term is firm in our vocabulary and took off from the term "Lager louts " of the 1980s.
It is evident that the biggest offenders are the 16-24 year olds age group and evident that women are more on the increase in this statement www.drinkaware.co.uk 1 October 2006, however it stated that 27 percent of women of that age group get very drunk at least once a month although, this survey does not indicate when this was taken, and failed to give what particular areas were surveyed and if it was National or not, at the same time it can be viewed as a small percentage.
Owing to this the United Kingdom government want to give greater leisure time and can be seen as encouraging the public to drink like continental people and take steps to integrate drinking into family life, however could sales of alcohol shift to the homes, owing to more drinking at home, furthermore violence erupting at private parties and homes.
Educating the public about the effects of alcohol are being put into action "By liberalising conditions and treating adults like adults we might get a good result as long as coupled with good education on excess" Davidson David Conservative health spokesman 2006. Mr Davidson may have a good point on the other hand it can be seen that Mr Davidson may well be jumping on the Labour bandwagon, at the same time would the opposition carry on the new law if they were voted to power. The government have coupled education in ways of education and support, there are many groups that give support to the misuse of alcohol like Alcohol Concern, nonetheless many families are not supported, and the groups have made a concern on their website over the new act, many individuals are not made aware of these groups and therefore can be seen to still suffer and the families affected, for this reason the government have placed labelling on bottles of alcohol and shows units, however this still seems to confuse the public www.Portman group.co.uk October 3 2006. Many members of the public are still not aware of these units and seem very vague.
