Young people should be banned from drinking until they reach 21 or be forced to carry a card that records their alcohol intake, a think tank columnist has claimed.

 

Binge drinking has become such an "overwhelming" problem, argues journal of the left-leaning Institute for Public Policy Research, that policy makers need to practice "tough love" and put drink out of the reach of youngsters.

 

In an article to be published this week columnist Jasper Gerard will say that the UK has "lost the plot" over drinking laws.

 

He proposes raising the drinking age to 21 or requiring 18-year-olds to carry smart cards which record how much they have drunk each night and restricting them to three units of alcohol.

 

Gerrard will also propose increasing the number of prosecutions and the level of fines on retailers selling alcohol to under-age drinkers and upping taxes on alcopops.

 

He said: "The adverse social effects of binge drinking are now so overwhelming that we need to practise tough love.

 

"By raising the age threshold it is at least possible that those in their early and mid teens will not see drink as something they will soon be allowed to do so therefore they might as well start doing it surreptitiously now. Instead they might come to see it as it should be: forbidden."

 

"Society is increasingly reluctant to tolerate passive smoking, so why passive boozing - which is what innocent people experience when a drunken, clunking fist attacks them on a Saturday night?"

 

The number of under-18s taken to hospital with alcohol related diseases and injuries rose in 2005-2006 to 8,299, a jump of 40 per cent on figures three years ago.

 

A survey by the charity Alcohol Concern found in 2005 that more than one in five 11-year-olds admitted to drinking. By the age of 12, drinkers start to outnumber non-drinkers.

 

 

 

 

Totally stupid idea if you ask me, people will do it anyway, it's not hard to find someone 18 or 21 to get you alcohol so I think it's just a waste of time, I think if they really want to combat underage drinking police need to be more vigilant. I was out last night around a few pubs/clubs in the night and I seen this girl who had drunk over a whole bottle of vodka and she was only about 13. She was on the floor being sick etc. There was a police woman passing by and all she said was' are you ok?' and asked are her parents coming (I was watching because I'm nosy). As for seeing it as 'forbidden' what a load of rubbish. Drugs are 'forbidden' but people still take these at under 18. Doesn't really make sense :(

Edited April 15, 200718 yr by Kalen

What! :o No! :rofl: So now we can have sex, get married and have a family, but can't buy alcohol for another FIVE years? :rofl: Saying that, I doubt they will raise the age tbh.

I think it's a good idea, if they're going to clamp down on smoking why not clamp down on the other legal drug. Just because I do drink and don't smoke, it doesn't mean I'm going to support this any less. The people who don't want it to happen are primarily under 21 :lol:

 

Just don't do it until 2009 :cry:

What! :o No! :rofl: So now we can have sex, get married and have a family, but can't buy alcohol for another FIVE years? :rofl: Saying that, I doubt they will raise the age tbh.

 

I know! Enless they raise that too! At this rate there will be NOTHING to do :|

 

I think it's a good idea, if they're going to clamp down on smoking why not clamp down on the other legal drug. Just because I do drink and don't smoke, it doesn't mean I'm going to support this any less. The people who don't want it to happen are primarily under 21 :lol:

 

Just don't do it until 2009 :cry:

 

:o! I really hope they don't, and I think it will only effect the people under 18 at the time of approval if it did happen.

Are they still trying to raise the age of smoking to 18 as well? Well at least I'll be 18 by the time they get round to that. -_-

its a stupid and uninforceable idea. not until there are stricter controls by not only the authorities, but shop owners and more importantly the parents could any such 'ban' be practical.

It'll never happen :lol:

 

Raising the age to 21 would only make it MORE taboo and those under 21 will be even more eager to drink than ever before. Like Rob said, it's uninforceable.

That's rediculous. It won't stop people drinking.

One thing I have to say about this:

 

F*CK OFF!

 

That is all.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dont you dare!!!! oh well i drink anyway lol

doesn't effect me :lol: but I don't see how on earth it would make any difference, and for carrying a card around :rofl: please!

doesn't stop me being served now... why will it stop me later?

Does that mean that people who are allowed to serve beer have to be over 21 to?

Does that mean that people who are allowed to serve beer have to be over 21 to?

 

It probably would actually, the way the licencing laws are at the moment, no one under 18 can actually sell alcohol...

If you want an answer then LOWER the f***ing age you morons. This will just increase the number of kids on the street as all those between 18 and 21 who had legally, peacefully and happily been enjoying a drink will be forced to join the kids in the park.

 

...and while you're at it, why not target the millions of f***wits over 21 who can't handle their alcohol?

This will just increase the number of kids on the street as all those between 18 and 21 who had legally, peacefully and happily been enjoying a drink will be forced to join the kids in the park.

 

Exactly... This is ANOTHER measure that, if the Govt is foolish enough to adopt, will absolutely destroy the pub trade.... Mind you, considering the smoking ban, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Govt did take this measure up.... Some people really are determined to turn every single pub in this country into a fukkin' "Wetherspoons"-type, sanitised 'family oriented' sh!thole playing c**p, middle of the road muzak and selling "Victory" vodka and gin aren't they....? <_<

 

Then, we really can be just like the 'good ole USofA' cant we....? Cant drink there til you're 21 either..... <_<

How pathetic ... Anyon noticed when kids reach 17/18 they go to clubs and get drunk rather than sit in bus shed and annoy neighbourhoods? -_-

More example of the 'new' Labour nanny state, teenage drinking and under age drinking is a very serious problem given the criminality that comes with it but this is NOT the answer, if aliens came down from outer space and read this article they would think earth is totally f***ed up and insane and would be straight into the spaceship back to where they came from

Edited April 17, 200718 yr by Vic Vega

The kids round these parts are drinking Buckie at age 11. So raising the 'legal' age will make no difference to them. -_-

If you want an answer then LOWER the f***ing age you morons. This will just increase the number of kids on the street as all those between 18 and 21 who had legally, peacefully and happily been enjoying a drink will be forced to join the kids in the park.

 

...and while you're at it, why not target the millions of f***wits over 21 who can't handle their alcohol?

Exactly! Make it 16, or 17!!! GOD!