General Chat

I see the government are thinking of putting up the tax on alcopops in order to tackle the problem of teenage binge drinking... Like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted... what do you reckon. Won't stop the crowds of teenagers round here that buy the cheapy white cider (2 litres for £1.99).... :-(( Sylvx

Totally agree with you Rach. Makes me worry about the teenagers that are growing up now - unhealthy food (and I'm not a health freak lol), and alcohol addiction to boot... Sylvx

i drove through town centre with my wife about 1am on way home? you hear about it but when you see it there was hundreds walking the street like a invasion nearly every one was plastered girls lying on floor iy was alarming

I agree,It should have been addressed ages ago, its frightening to think what damage these kids are doing to themselves. In my opinion these alco-pops should be made illegal. Im sure If kids had to taste the alcohol they majority would not find it quite as appealing.

We have that problem too. End of our street, near where some new houses been built like £300k, there's a nice green area like a memorial gardens, and they congregate there esp on a Frid/Sat nt. There is loads of bottles and cans left lying around, the police turn up occasionally and just take the booze off em. We got a real prob I feel in this country with underage drinking. You know when I go to Europe like Spain and Portugal you never see it do you? Well I haven't. Wonder why the kids do it here. catherine xx

Too right Roxanne - and wish they'd stop making white cider - full of chemicals, never seen an apple.

In Europe Children are brought up with alcohol, children have wine watered down at dinner,it a way of life,one that the british should adopt. children In Spain/France e.t.c dont feel as if their missing out on any great experience its that simple.

Yes, in the past I've always enjoyed a good drink when at a party, or pub etc. But never ended up collapsing or not knowing how I got home or what I did...

Mmm, good point Roxanne. Children on the continent as you say are raised with the idea of wine with a meal, so it becomes part of a sociable environment and enjoyment in having a meal.

In The 70s,boy did we party!lol I never saw anyone falling down drunk, Its unbelievable whats happened.

Oh Yeah, I was a party animal too in the late 60s and 70s. But don't think I've ever got to the stage where I was really ill with it and it certainly never became an addiction.

Rachel,Your right, they seem to have bets on who will fall down first. To see a anyone drunk to thatdegree is awful,but to see a young woman well its just shameful,dont you think?

thing is these young kids don't know what they are doing to their bodies. Very sad. think the continental approach is the way forward. Wish shop keepers would be more vigilant too. There was a shop near us that got done selling to underage kids,his attitude was well if I don't sell it em, they will trash the shop. catherine xx He's not there now sold up.

I have a Costcutter shop very near me. I have been in there on a Sunday morning usually about 7.30am (early riser me!) for the papers. One of the white cider peeps comes in, nods to the person serving; the person goes to the shelf, gets a flagon of white cider and sells it to the customer.

... and then the general public have to put up with people collapsed on the pavement, having vomited, peed themselves, having fits. Something doesn't quite add up here....

That is awful,Catherine. Im afraid some kids just dont get parental help either, I know its not always the parents,but surely the parents should take some responsability for their children.

That's what the chap from Alcohol Concern was saying on the news this morning - wonder what they would think if they saw the injuries and casualties of a night's binge drinking in A & E over a weekend....

And the nurses and doctors that are attacked by alohol fueled people. They need security In hospitals these days for that reason,its disgraceful.

Another stealth tax from the Labour party! What earthly good do they think it will do by putting up the price of alco pops? Teenagers will just buy the cheaper lagers and ciders, and the sensible drinkers will be penalised. The age for drinking needs to be put up to 21 years old, and advertising of alcohol needs to be strictly regulated so as not to make it appear glamorous.

Well said Jeanette, couldn't agree more. Nothing glamorous seeing teenagers absolutely legless, passed out, throwing up etc. etc. That's the sort of advertising the Government needs to do - shock tactics.