Sir, – When are we ever going to get alcohol policy right? The proposals to increase prices and limit advertising are blunt instruments that will end up affecting the majority of moderate consumers and do nothing to solve the problems of binge-drinking. Increasing prices will not work as high prices are part of the problem.
If prices were lower and more realistic then young adults could afford to drink sensibly supervised in pubs and clubs instead of having to load up with pre-drinks first. It’s the high cost of civilised drinking that’s influencing their current behaviour.
Prices are much lower in Europe and alcohol is more widely available (even sold in fast-food outlets) yet they do not seem to have a problem. The lower prices are precisely the reason European young people can moderate their consumption and behaviour. – Yours, etc,
FRANK SMYTH,
Dalkey, Co Dublin