General Chat

We have a big problem with adults supplying to kids, Thankfully alcohol is one thing I havent had a problem with with my kids, caz xxxxx

I don't think raising the age to 21 or shutting off-licences during the day and banning supermarkets from selling alcohol is going to work. If somone under 18 can get hold of alcohol then so could someone under 21 if they did raise the age. The supermarkets I go into operate the 'look under 21 you need proof of age'. As for off-licences if they shut during the day then the kid will just go later when they are open. It's not just under 18's who are getting paralytic through drinking so much alcohol it's also those over 18 and even over 21. Personally I think the Europeans have got it right. They are very family oriented and children are often included in family meals out and as has been said allowed to have a drink. This seems to have encouraged a sensible attitude to drink, although there are probably exceptions to the rule. My daughter in the past has asked if she could have a taste of my drink if I've been drinking alcohol. I've always said yes becuase I believe that saying no would make the drink tabboo and therefore more attractive. The first time she asked she was so surprised that I said yes that she changed her mind about tasting it lol. Since then she has tried it but hasn't really liked the taste. Hopefully when she gets a bit older this will help her to have a sensible attitude to drink.

I have to say firstly, I am most certainly not naivelol In any shape or form. the situation is out of hand, maybe to the point of no return. yes,kids will try things, but Im afraid alcoholics anonymous will have their hands full in a few years if things carry on this way. were talking about serious health issues due to alcohol abuse.not the odd drink round the back of the bike shed. the children that drink themselves stupid probably wont see their 30th birthdays if something isent done. I dont have the answers but I do worry about it.

Hi Roxanne Don't have a problem with under-age sales. It's a case of no ID then no sale. Company policy is 'Think 21 for alcohol and 18 for cigs etc'. This policy is common now throughout the 'off-trade' including supermarkets. Not all outlets are as strict as they should be though. Do get some verbal abuse but nothing I can not handle - used to run a pub and have dealt with a lot worse. Could not afford the fine or subsequent loss of job if my licence was revoked. Will not stock overstrength white cider especially those in 2 and three litre bottles. Think it is gut-rot and should not be sold to anyone. Libby x

hi Libby, I just think we need some ground rules concerning the sale of alcohol. My Ideas are probably not going to solve much,I agree,but Its got so out of hand,dont you think? How do you cope with Youngsters wanting to buy alcohol In your shop?

Can not understand why you think closing Off Licenses during the day and on Sunday will make a difference. I very rarely go out to the pub, maybe two or three times a year, sad bag that I am, so can not agree that pubs should be the only place you can by alcohol. I am assuming that you only meant this point to refer to Sundays. Plus I would take a drop in salary beacuse I am an Off License manager. lol, and I do like the odd glass/bottle now and again - more a case of again !! Libby x

Rach,I agree, Alcohol fueled violence is on the increase, many women suffer because of drunken husbands,not to mention the drunken drivers.

David,Im just shocked,I always thought you were T total;-)) I agee theres always been underage drinking,but not to the degree it is now. Personally,I would like to see no alcohol sold In supermarkets and Off-license closed during the day and only open in the evenings, Sunday they should close too. Pubs should be the only place you can buy alcohol .

As an Off Licence manager I regularly refuse service to many young people under 21 with no ID. If caught it is an on the spot fine of £80 for sales assistants plus loss of licence and job for manager. We have to fill in a 'refusals to serve log' plus 'ID provided'. Regular abuse. Do you KNOW where your children are and what they are DOING?. Do not blame the producers of the product. RTD's (ready to drink) are meant for ages of 18 and above. Parents need to accept their responsibility in this. I am the mother of a 24 & 25 year old, plus one who is 12 going on 40 !!. Libby xx

Catherine, you say these young people don't realise what they are doing to themselves, but they do! There was a prog on tv a while ago where they checked what these girls were drinking and the girls said words to the effect, yes I know too much alcohol isn't supposed to be good for me, but I like getting drunk and I am ok at the mo,I will worry about it when I am older. I have known students who tell me they don't consider an evening out a success if they can remember what they did the night before. How stupid is that? Can remember in the 60's getting rather squiffy on cider (the usual kind, not white) and losing my friend, I ended up leaning in the doorway of a newsagents, closed, and two lads came to ask if I was ok. When I said I thought I had drunk too much cider, they said they felt guilty cos they came from Somerset, so they walked me all the way home and delivered me to my door, they were so kind and didn't take advantage or anything. I am sure I was lucky, but lads then were more considerate and wouldn't take advantage of someone in a sorry state. Youngsters now are more likely to have liver problems in a few years time and will expect treatment when they are ill. Shame they don't save their money now and save their health too.

Very wise words Sheila.

I think the binge-drinking culture is one of the symptoms of an 'unhealthy' society. I'm sure most of us, in not too distant times, have enjoyed drinking socially to the point of being drunk, merry, tipsy or whatever, but know when to stop. It seems that some youngsters these days don't have, or don't use, the STOP button. Alcohol is not enjoyed or savoured, merely poured in for the purpose of getting VERY drunk as quickly as possible. Vomiting doesn't seem to be a deterrent, merely a means of emptying the system for more. I can't help but worry about the state of mind (individual or collective) of those who choose to do this - it reminds me of accounts I've read of the effects of cheap gin on the London poor in the 18th century - seen as a way to ease the misery of a wretched life.

Sounds very much as I've done with my three when they were growing up. I've seen my eldest daughter really drunk once, and yes a bit tiddly after a night out; my younger daughter and my son tried alcohol, and weren't keen so don't drink at all.

I agree Sylvia. If they realised how revolting and cheap they looked they might think twice. I also think parents should be doing their bit too. My eldest is nearly 18 but of course she already goes out to pubs and clubs. There's not alot I can do about that cos if we said she couldn't, she'd only go and do it behind our backs! BUT she never comes home in that state. A bit tiddly perhaps, but not falling over and vomitting. I think she knows she would be in serious trouble if she did come home like that! But we have offered her alcohol at home from her being about 12. Not excessive amounts, but a glass of wine with dinner or the odd Cinzano or vodka on special occasions.

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.

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.

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

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....

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.

... 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....