Posted on 03/15/2004 9:16:09 PM PST by chance33_98
Government Announces Clampdown on Heavy Drinking to Stop Related Crime
LONDON (AP) - Worried about increasing reports of binge-drinking, the government proposed a series of measures Monday to curb heavy alcohol consumption, particularly among the young. The government estimates that alcohol abuse costs the country $36 billion every year in related crime and illness.
Among planned measures to reduce drinking are a clampdown on pubs serving youths under 18 - the legal drinking age in Britain - and clearer labeling on products to inform people of the level of alcoholic content.
The government also wants to tackle related violence directly by introducing marshals at taxi ranks late in the evening, when drinkers begin to spill out onto the streets.
Britain's 11 p.m. closing time - 10:30 p.m. on Sundays - has been blamed for promoting binge drinking as many pub-goers gulp extra drinks to beat the last bell.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said millions of people enjoyed alcohol with few, if any, ill-effects, with moderate drinking bringing some health benefits.
"But increasingly, alcohol misuse by a small minority has caused problems - crime and anti-social behavior in town and city centers, and harm to health as a result of binge and chronic drinking," Blair said.
A study by Blair's Strategy Unit last year found that increasing numbers of people - especially the young - are drinking well above safe limits.
Britons now drink 151 percent more alcohol than they did in 1951, the report said.
Under the new proposals, police will be encouraged to increase the use of existing powers to discourage anti-social behavior, such as fines and exclusion orders that ban offenders from certain venues.
Police will also enlist undercover officers to test pubs and clubs that are suspected of selling drinks to minors.
Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said the recommendations were a fair compromise to tackle a minority of people who abuse alcohol and fuel anti-social behavior.
The British government collected more than $12.6 billion in taxes on alcohol in 2002, according to the Wine and Spirits Association.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.