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"a_friend_in_mead":1imy47ht wrote: Has it?[/quote:1imy47ht]There's maths on page 25. You tell me.

Yeah their sums are much better. They include
[quote:2g535iw5]The real disposable income index is a (relative) measure of disposable income, that is, total
household income, minus payments of income tax and other taxes, social contributions
and other current transfers, converted to real terms.[/quote:2g535iw5]
rather then just straight average wage.

Between 1996 and 2004 alcohol got 47% more affordable (p27) and only slightly more so for 16-24 year olds.

Got a problem-drinking teenager? Don't worry: you can always blame society[/url:2eekf668].

[quote:1kzte33q]Much of the liberalisation of alcohol in recent years (you can now buy it almost anywhere, even in petrol stations) was driven by the view that people act sensibly when restraints are removed and the novelty wears off. However with alcohol, the evidence suggests otherwise and, when [b:1kzte33q]prices fall and availability increases, consumption goes through the roof.[/b:1kzte33q][/quote:1kzte33q]
Mmmm. Belgium, Germany, Netherlands et al are proof positive of that - they have savage amounts of alcohol abuse over there cos beer is too cheap. <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: -->

... and Vinmonopolet has made the Norwegians a nation of teetotalers and quiet tipplers.

[quote:2kwlt3mz]prices fall and availability increases, consumption goes through the roof.[/quote:2kwlt3mz]
When did prices drop? Where did consumption go through the roof?
No need to have evidence for this, sure it it stands to reason, don't it!