I’ve attached an aritcle that I stumbled across(no pun intended) while internet surfing this week. It appears that the government is considering a ban on ‘happy hour’ to curb binge drinking amongst young people in the U.K. This could certainly help the long term health of a nation, but taking away people’s cheap booze is the last thing you want to do in a time of economic crisis!
London - Britain is considering a ban on “happy hour” discounts at bars and restaurants to curb drinking, a spokesperson said on Saturday, as health advocates warned that a rise in liver-related deaths among young people may signal a future epidemic.
Health officials will decide on whether to ban the happy hours - designated times for discount drinks - once an independent policy review is published in coming weeks, a health department spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.
The proposal was one of several aimed at stemming a trend in binge drinking in recent years, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The government also plans to spend £10m on a new public awareness campaign, and wants to improve enforcement of laws against underage drinking.
A health advocacy group said some of those young people were now showing signs of liver-related damage usually seen in older people.
Given that it can take 15 to 20 years for liver disease to develop, the British Liver Trust warned that the figures suggested the problem would only get worse.
“We’re seeing a steep increase of deaths in people in their 20s and 30s,” Trust spokesperson Imogen Shillito said. “This indicates a big problem for many years to come.”
National statistics show a steady rise in the number of alcohol-related deaths that typically fell heavy drinkers in their 40s and 50s who have abused alcohol for decades. From 1991 to 2006, the number of such deaths more than doubled to 8 758.
Alcohol-related deaths among people aged 25 to 29 were 40% higher in 2006 than the year before, Shillito said, citing national statistics.
Shillito said low prices for alcohol had helped encourage drinking among British youths, noting “they can buy alcohol with their pocket money.”
The government plans to base its new alcohol policies, including possible new programs to help people reduce consumption, on the upcoming review by the School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield.
Officials say the report should clarify whether retail practices lead to excessive drinking. They are considering a ban on a number of practices, including drinking games and speed-drinking events popular at some British pubs.
- AP
1 response so far ↓
1 Maria // Nov 23, 2008 at 2:24 pm
After the fall of ‘29 there was a direct correlation between Prohibition and the number of suicide and mental illness cases (in those days, they didn’t diagnose it as “depression”) in this country (which incidentally,remained in effect until the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment). Years later, psychologists stated in numerous case studies that had alcohol been legal during those times of great duress, things may have been different.
Leave a Comment