Britain's drinking culture is a cause for concern, as Vicky Anderson reports TACKLING the country's binge drinking culture is one of the biggest social problems of recent years - and young people are generally on the receiving end of the harshest criticism. In response to the anti-social behaviour that can ensue as a result, Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe has asked Prime Minister Gordon Brown to consider a number of changes in the law, with his most drastic suggestion being increasing the legal age for buying alcohol from 18 to 21, like most American states. He said last week: "I would like to see the laws surrounding the supply of alcohol to young people strengthened. "This would be done by reducing the number of outlets selling alcohol and increasing the minimum legal age at which to buy from 18 to 21." He claims that this will curb incidents of anti-social behaviour and have a positive impact on the health of young people. Cracking down on those who buy alcohol for under-age drinkers, and cutting the sugar content in alcopops are other ways Mr Hogan- Howe believes may deter young people from bingeing. But is what Mr Hogan-Howe is suggesting merely further evidence of a creeping "nanny state"? Many would argue that, at 18, you can vote, marry, and fight for your country - and as such it would be ridiculous not to be able to legally buy a beer. Licensees believe such a step would stop the majority of students being able to enjoy the city's nighttime economy, making a significant dent in its profitability as a result, and that "demonising" young people will do no favours. So this week, the Daily Post asks: Should the legal age to buy alcohol be raised to 21? vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk YES: The Case For - New drinking laws needed to curb bad behaviour by Bernard Hogan-Howe, Merseyside's chief constable LAST week, I asked the new Prime Minister to consider some legislative changes. The ideas around alcohol sales were aimed at helping the fight against anti-social behaviour. Each year Merseyside Police deals with 2m calls for help: 250,000 of those are about antisocial behaviour. In the hot-spot areas, where we get repeated calls about serious criminality, the main aggravating factors tend to be similar time and time again. There is either a street level drug market in the area or there is a particular problem with the illegal sale of alcohol or the consumption of alcohol by young people. My suggestions are to restrict the sale of alcohol to young people through off-licences and to come down hard on adults who go into off-licences to buy alcohol for youngsters. The relative cost of alcohol has come down, while the number of off-licence points of sale has increased significantly. There is no longer a test to see whether an area "needs" a new off-licence. The control of the sale of alcohol is then left in the hands of young
and low paid staff. They have to challenge young people late at night, often alone and when dealing with a crowd of potential customers. Would you challenge that crowd? I have suggested reducing the points of sale, increasing prices and allowing home deliveries only during the day. If we reduce the sugar content in some drinks, then we may change the binge drinking culture. Alcoholic drinks should not be made to appeal to young people by appearing more like everyday soft drinks. With the medical profession alerting us to the high level of chronic liver disease in the young, we need to do something. We can make a difference. Anti-social behaviour is not new. Twenty-three years ago in his annual report, Sir Kenneth Oxford said: "As everyone knows, the biggest problem today is young people causing annoyance." What has changed is people now have easy access to communications with mobile phones and are more able to report incidents as they are happening. That gives us a clearer picture of the size of the problem our communities are facing. Most importantly, the availability of alcohol and drugs has significantly changed young people's behaviour. In my view, we need to do something about it. I believe my suggestions are considered and balanced. NO: The Case Against - Being able to vote and fight but not drink is illogical by Paul Chase, chairman, Confederation of Professional Licensees IT IS becoming clearer by the day alcohol is now the "new tobacco". Chief Constable Hogan-Howe's proposal to raise the minimum age at which alcohol can be bought from 18 to 21 is just the latest in a series of propositions about tackling alcohol misuse that would take us backwards. Firstly, 21 is the minimum age for buying alcohol in most US states, where you can drive at 15, join the forces at 17 and buy a gun at 18. This is not an example we should follow. We don't have a prohibitionist tradition in this country as they do in America, and there is no logical reason for choosing 21 as a minimum age - only the illogical reason that it used to be the age of majority. The age of majority is now 18, and the idea you are old enough to vote and old enough to fight for your country, but not old enough to buy a beer, will strike many as bizarre. Secondly, the trend is to harmonise the minimum age for selling other age-restricted products at 18 - the minimum age for buying tobacco will be raised to 18 in October and the age for purchasing knives is soon to rise to 18 as well. Why is it OK to buy a knife at 18, a packet of cigarettes at 18, but not a pint of beer? The logic suggests a common minimum age for purchasing all the major age-restricted products, and that age should be the age of majority - 18 years. Thirdly, consider the devastating impact raising the age to 21 would have on Liverpool's night-time economy. Thousands of students attend our two universities; the vast majority of them are aged 18 to 20. Speak to any bar owner in the city centre about what happens to the level of business when the students are on holiday. With European Capital of Culture year looming, do we really want to send out a message that responsible young visitors to our city won't be able to buy an alcoholic drink or visit a bar because we have decided to demonise 18 to 20 year- olds? The Chief Constable is right to be concerned about alcohol misuse among young people, and about the relationship between alcohol misuse and crime. However, these relationships are complex. Simplistic solutions that scapegoat the licensed trade, demonise young drinkers, and seek reactionary solutions that unreasonably restrict the freedoms of young adult drinkers, are not the solution. The Chief Constable needs to think again. If having done so he still thinks this particular kite will fly, I would be happy to debate with him on radio or TV in order to illuminate the issues.
| 
Article
