TOPIC:

Once again, they all say that "reports conclude" and "the evidence is" that price increases are the best way to curb alcohol consumption, but I have yet to see any real evidence that supports this.

If higher price alcohol results in lower consumption, then why is it that many countries with very low alcohol prices actually have low per capita consumption? Why aren't the Mediterranean countries, with their easily available cheap alcohol, full of problem drinkers?

Why is it that Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia have the highest levels of alcohol consumption, with binge drinking cultures, despite having the highest alcohol prices?

There is an obvious gap between the way the experts think people should behave when prices are inflated and the way they actually do behave. Why can't they see that?

"sbillings":1azdumaj wrote: Why is it that Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia have the highest levels of alcohol consumption, with binge drinking cultures, despite having the highest alcohol prices?[/quote:1azdumaj]

I'd be inclined to blame the Vikings

Some new figures for the Alcohol-Consumption-Is-Getting-Out-Of-Hand lobby:

Alcohol consumption down 5.9% in 2008[/url:1b4mh0wp]

How long till we see a "this is clear proof that our strategy and drink-aware advertising is working" bullsh1t spiel?

Letter from a master of irony[/url:p3a0kcni] in today's Times:
[quote:p3a0kcni]Madam, – The continuing campaign to cut our nation’s alcohol consumption is to be applauded.

However, there is one simple step that could be taken which would undoubtedly help pub customers to realise how much they are consuming – that is the restoration of traditional measures for the dispense of spirits. With quarter gills, fifth gills and sixth gills, people knew exactly what they were getting. It can be no coincidence that the rise of problem drinking amongst both young and old has entirely followed metrication of pub measures. – Yours, etc,

JOHN EOIN DOUGLAS,

Spey Terrace,

Edinburgh.[/quote:p3a0kcni]
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Some people are not great with numbers. I especially like the assumption that alcohol consumption is rising, despite what the statistics say. It's a rise of -5.9% on last year.[/url:1wfeu8mx]