Minimum Pricing on Alcohol Per Unit

[radamfi]

Nothing will change until alcohol becomes socially unacceptable like smoking.

I personally don't really 'get' smoking and alcohol. Smoking and drinking are things that teenagers do to look 'hard' and try to pretend that they doesn't taste horrible.

On the other hand, I can see why pills containing amphetamine might be attractive, but I wouldn't dare take such a substance as the lack of regulation means that you could be taking something very dangerous.

 

[SWT_USER]

I like drinking, don't smoke but don't mind it either. I don't think either makes me look hard and if I didn't like the taste I wouldn't do it!

The type of people the minimum pricing is likely to affect are the type who will not eat to be able to afford their white lightning (excuse the mass generalisation). This seems like legislation for the sake of it.

 

[bb21]

The type of people the minimum pricing is likely to affect are the type who will not eat to be able to afford their white lightning (excuse the mass generalisation). This seems like legislation for the sake of it.

... and people such as "moi" who buy cheap and nasty own-brand lager for cooking. They taste no different to the posh ones so why waste money? Now I will have to probably pay more so might as well get the posh stuff.

 

[wintonian]

... and people such as "moi" who buy cheap and nasty own-brand lager for cooking. They taste no different to the posh ones so why waste money? Now I will have to probably pay more so might as well get the posh stuff.

It's not obligatory to chuck half a bottle of red/6 pack etc. into a sauce and then drink the rest cause it will go off.

Personally I never cook with alcohol - I've never seen the point really it tastes just as good without IMO.

 

[Clip]

Half a larger ??????

That social policy book is "doing your head in"
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Did they sell "Buckfast Tonic Wine" at this establishment ?

No. Its a classy establishment.

I don't see a problem. It's not a tax meaning 45-50p is added per unit, but a minimum...

But if its 50p minimum then a can of heineken goes up to £1.25 per can when I currently pay a pound.

Thats a 25% increase in price because some jakeys cant behave themselves. Not very fair that is it?

There would be outrage if that was placed on a pasty

 

[Eagle]

But if its 50p minimum then a can of heineken goes up to £1.25 per can when I currently pay a pound.

It's 45p that's the quoted minimum (I don't know where this 50p is coming from). So it'll only go up to £1.12.

 

[Clip]

It's 45p that's the quoted minimum (I don't know where this 50p is coming from). So it'll only go up to £1.12.

Yes but 12% isnt high enough to warrant such a rant !!

 

[bb21]

Personally I never cook with alcohol - I've never seen the point really it tastes just as good without IMO.

Not really an option when cooking (raw) dried seafood such as scallops and oysters. Boiling in alcohol (lager specifically) for a while gets rid of the awful "sea" odour and gets the flesh really tender.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Thats a 25% increase in price because some jakeys cant behave themselves. Not very fair that is it? There would be outrage if that was placed on a pasty

Clip, with the best will in the world, I cannot visualise pasties causing the anti-social behaviour in town/city centres....unless certain areas add "a little extra ingredient" in the recipe. Just imagine the scenario if doormen with SIA "orange stripe" badges were at the entrance to every branch of Greggs...

Of course, we will then see irresponsible pasty eaters. Lads will then be boasting of their ability to eat ten Cornish pasties, three sausage rolls, four cheese and onion slices and a steak pasty, with no side effects. The drug dealers will soon catch onto this new craze and furtive meetings will ensue..."Wanna Alka-Seltzer or some Gaviscon"....

 

[Clip]

You want to see it round mine when the 'Pasty/Take away wars' break out after school. If its not the end of a stake bake flying through the air its the remnants of a chicken leg from a £1.50 chicken and chips meal.

Its lethal I tells you!!

 

[wintonian]

Not really an option when cooking (raw) dried seafood such as scallops and oysters. Boiling in alcohol (lager specifically) for a while gets rid of the awful "sea" odour and gets the flesh really tender.

Admittedly I have never bought dried seafood but the fresh stuff certainly shouldn't smell (i.e. waling past the fish counter in Tesco) of anything (i.e. the fish counter in Waitrose) apart from maybe a faint whiff of the salt.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Hmmm not a good idea in my opinion why should the price I pay go up just because of a few idiots who abuse it.

Could I ask what your description of the word "few" is in your quotation above. I feel that you surely have made something of an understatement of the facts in actuality. An evening perambulation around the town/city centres will reveal both young ladies and gentlemen in profusion deliberately setting out with the object of drinking as much as they can.

Look what some of these self-same group of people look to be a major source of an evenings enjoyment in the hedonistic resorts overseas such as Ayia Napa...or the home resorts such as Newquay (especially on Friday and Saturday nights).

 

[bb21]

An evening perambulation around the town/city centres will reveal both young ladies and gentlemen in profusion deliberately setting out with the object of drinking as much as they can.

I am not convinced how much impact the minimum pricing will have, given that many of these young people will probably drink regardless of how much it costs.

I also remain suspicious as to how much the new measure can change people's behaviour when they are on holiday.

The root cause is not the price of the alcohol.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am not convinced how much impact the minimum pricing will have, given that many of these young people will probably drink regardless of how much it costs.

I wondered if such a response to my last posting may have been forthcoming. From what has been reported by police and other sources, is that many of these young people "prime themselves" with supermarket-bought alcohol that is always ready available by the caseload (as both television bulk-caseload advertisments and a visit to these same supermarkets will show is indeed the case) prior to setting off to the town/city centres.

 

[Clip]

I wondered if such a response to my last posting may have been forthcoming. From what has been reported by police and other sources, is that many of these young people "prime themselves" with supermarket-bought alcohol that is always ready available by the caseload (as both television bulk-caseload advertisments and a visit to these same supermarkets will show is indeed the case) prior to setting off to the town/city centres.

They probably do. But they'll move away from beers and that and more onto large bottles of alcopops and probably vodka. If its only going to be a quid or two more than it is now they wont care.Or they'll just going for cheaper options. Its not going to cure the problem.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

They probably do. But they'll move away from beers and that and more onto large bottles of alcopops and probably vodka. If its only going to be a quid or two more than it is now they wont care.Or they'll just going for cheaper options. Its not going to cure the problem.

Exactly so. It shows the reasoning behind the extended licensing hours that was said not to have any adverse affects because, to use their words, "people will not be in such a rush to finish drinking, as the extra time allowed will enable them to drink more responsibly" was totally flawed in its premise. The stated reason for the introduction of "alcopops" by the drinks industry showed the shallowness of their arguments and very much a knowledge of what market that this product was actually aimed at and of its undoubted success, fostered by various media marketing campaigns.

Incidentally, could you give an example of the current price of a large "alcopop" and what this will increase to under the new proposals ?

 

[Clip]

looking on Tecos for


bacardi breezer 70 cl
Alcohol Units 1.1 £3.25
ABV 4%


1/2 litre of hooch £2.00

Alcohol Units 2
ABV 4%


70cl Sourz £3.25

Alcohol Units 2.8
ABV 4%


These are the ones the ladies like so Im led to believe from the remnants of the missus having friends round and it appears that this minimum pricing will have no affect if it is not being added on to the current price.

Go down a local ritzy and girls are all wandering about with these delightful coloured drinks so im guessing it wont affect them at all

 

[jon0844]

Thats a 25% increase in price because some jakeys cant behave themselves. Not very fair that is it?

There would be outrage if that was placed on a pasty

The fuss over the pasty tax was stupid, but I get your point.

Personally, I am not too bothered as I don't drink that much at home. Buying loads of beers (for a single can or two, I could live with 25p more) would likely be for a party only. I guess I'll moan when I can no longer see any cheap multipacks!

Otherwise, I mostly drink when out and prices are so much higher that the minimums won't make any difference at all. The pub/restaurant industry must actually really like this increase as it reduces the difference in price and might just encourage more people to go out sooner, rather than preload.
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The root cause is not the price of the alcohol.

I do agree with that. It won't stop problems in pubs, given what I said above - the minimum price won't affect the retail price of drink there.

It might stop kids getting the cheap beer and cider to drink in the park, or reduce the amount of consumption in the home.

We do have a cultural problem to deal with, but that takes successive generations and we're not actually breeding a generation that will improve as they're being brought up by the very people that probably think the mission in life is to get as wasted as possible.

Being seriously drunk (as in being unable to look after yourself) should be socially unacceptable and not a mission to measure how good a night out was.

One thing I did hear on the radio yesterday was talk about how some brewers are now able to reduce the strength, without affecting the flavour, of many drinks. I would actually be happy to drink weaker alcoholic drinks if they didn't taste awful - and that would help those who still feel obliged to drink too fast!

 

[yorksrob]

One thing I did hear on the radio yesterday was talk about how some brewers are now able to reduce the strength, without affecting the flavour, of many drinks. I would actually be happy to drink weaker alcoholic drinks if they didn't taste awful - and that would help those who still feel obliged to drink too fast!

There are already plenty of very tasty session beers out there for those that want them.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Being seriously drunk (as in being unable to look after yourself) should be socially unacceptable and not a mission to measure how good a night out was.

Being described as "drunk and incapable" is something that the police can detain you for, where the person in such a condition can be both a danger to both themselves and others.

I am sure our "forum legal eagles" will give a correct definition how being stated as being "drunk and incapable" is viewed by the law.

 

[Chapeltom]

I am fairly concerned about strong bottled beers, as a big fan of all things beer (except commercial lagers) as I fear prices could shoot up. Why should I pay more for a bottle of craft beer? Just target party drinks and leave real ales/wines/craft beers alone.

 

[Butts]

I am fairly concerned about strong bottled beers, as a big fan of all things beer (except commercial lagers) as I fear prices could shoot up. Why should I pay more for a bottle of craft beer? Just target party drinks and leave real ales/wines/craft beers alone.

How will it affect a "Watneys Party Seven" - anyone remember them

 

[Eagle]

7 pints (more or less 4 litres) of Red Barrel, at 3.9%, would be 15½ units, so the minimum price would be just under £7. Seems quite reasonable.


3.9%... that's quite weak by today's standards.

 

[Jonny]

My view is, make sure that everyone knows what sort of damage alcohol abuse can do... then let nature take its course; if they know what they're doing then let it happen as long as they're not at serious risk of harming others.
A bar-minimum might be needed to restrict third party harm, at above the levels being mentioned for a minimum price, for bars, clubs etc.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Drunk and incapable is an offence:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4529040.stm

According to that article, it is where you are so drunk you are unable to stand, walk or understand anything said to you. By that logic most of east London should be in a cell every night!

 

[yorksrob]

Exactly so. It shows the reasoning behind the extended licensing hours that was said not to have any adverse affects because, to use their words, "people will not be in such a rush to finish drinking, as the extra time allowed will enable them to drink more responsibly" was totally flawed in its premise. The stated reason for the introduction of "alcopops" by the drinks industry showed the shallowness of their arguments and very much a knowledge of what market that this product was actually aimed at and of its undoubted success, fostered by various media marketing campaigns.

Incidentally, could you give an example of the current price of a large "alcopop" and what this will increase to under the new proposals ?

The old licensing hours weren't particularly useful though were they.

Even now I can't think of many pubs that open beyond twelve. If people want to carry on partying through the night, it still seems to me that they have to go to the sort of establishments that stayed open to the early hours even before the laws were changed.

 

[Butts]

The old licensing hours weren't particularly useful though were they.

Even now I can't think of many pubs that open beyond twelve. If people want to carry on partying through the night, it still seems to me that they have to go to the sort of establishments that stayed open to the early hours even before the laws were changed.

Up here there are a lot of Pubs Licensed till 1am - but the oft propogated 24 hour licences are a rarity - due to demand.

 

[Clip]

The old licensing hours weren't particularly useful though were they.

Even now I can't think of many pubs that open beyond twelve. If people want to carry on partying through the night, it still seems to me that they have to go to the sort of establishments that stayed open to the early hours even before the laws were changed.

They were called nightclubs I seem to remember.

 

[SS4]

My view is, make sure that everyone knows what sort of damage alcohol abuse can do... then let nature take its course; if they know what they're doing then let it happen as long as they're not at serious risk of harming others.

That would entail the NHS turning away people who are intoxicated and don't forget some illness have the same symptoms of being drunk.

This aniseed liqueur I have is 15.4 units so it would be just under £7 instead of the £5.99 I paid for it

It'll hit the people who want to have a party at home and buy a box of beer/cider to share.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

That would entail the NHS turning away people who are intoxicated and don't forget some illness have the same symptoms of being drunk.

An interesting point. However, people who attend hospital (by one means or another) for treatment when intoxicated do take up time and space for those who attend for treatment whose injuries are not normally a self-inflicted state of being. Hospitals are not too enamoured of their staff being assaulted by those who have imbibed a quantity of alcoholic products, which is said to be the bane of life of NHS staff working in accident and emergency departments.