Alcohol, poverty and Scotland

[Nearly Sane]

While I accept that minimum unit pricing can be seen as a regressive tax, even though it isn't necessarily raising the money going to the govt, I struggle to see much else proposed by those who oppose it that will deal with this problem. Given that the indication is that it will have a beneficial impact, bit not be the in any sense a panacea, I would hope that it might be something that was much more cross party in Scotland.


The reduction in youth drinking is a good sign.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-40347942

[floo]

It is so sad that kids start drinking alcohol at such a young age. I don't think I ever touched the stuff until I was in my 20s, nor did my husband. My parents didn't drink, nor did his. Neither of us have ever been drunk, we do enjoy a glass of sherry, wine, or even a single malt whisky, but in strict moderation.

[Shaker]

Neither of us have ever been drunk

You're missing out on one of life's easier-to-achieve pleasures.

we do enjoy a class of sherry, wine, or even a single malt whisky, but in strict moderation.

I'm for moderation in moderation.

[Nearly Sane]

You're missing out on one of life's easier-to-achieve pleasures. I'm for moderation in moderation.

I have no issue with Floo's relative abstemiousness. Too much of the culture of drink is driven by expectation and sad notions of machismo. That mixed with a possible genetic link is a dangerous cocktail.


I have to note though my cynicism and experience of drinking in some very posh areas makes me suspect that some of the discrepancy is that those in the richest areas are often diagnosed with issues seen as less 'chav'.

[Aruntraveller]

https://www.reddit.com/r/drunk/comments/1t4i48/never_trust_a_man_who_doesnt_drink/


As a clincher Agent Orange is a teetotaller.

[Rhiannon]

If a man (or woman) is drunk and abusive to their partner and kids it makes no difference if the car outside is a new BMW or a knackered old Escort.

[Nearly Sane]

And abuse takes many forms.


I hope that the figures covering the reduction in youth drinking (though I was always partial to the taste of a youth myself) is indicative of less general suspicion of people being teetotal. Being teetotal is something neither to be proud nor ashamed of.

[Rhiannon]

I never drink if I'm driving the next morning, which is most days, and I get asked why, like it's weird.

[Aruntraveller]

though I was always partial to the taste of a youth myself

A men to that.

[floo]

You're missing out on one of life's easier-to-achieve pleasures. I'm for moderation in moderation.

What is pleasurable about getting drunk, and ending up with a hangover or worse?

[Nearly Sane]

What is pleasurable about getting drunk, and ending up with a hangover or worse?

Since you never have been, how would you know it isn't pleasurable? And you don't always end up with a hangover.

[Nearly Sane]

A men to that.

Or even in my case a woman

[floo]

Since you never have been, how would you know it isn't pleasurable? And you don't always end up with a hangover.

But if you are drunk you aren't in control of what you are doing, that would be AWFUL! I cannot see for the life of me why anyone would think that pleasurable, and never wish to find out.

[Nearly Sane]

But if you are drunk you aren't in control of what you are doing, that would be AWFUL! I cannot see for the life of me why anyone would think that pleasurable, and never wish to find out.

I cannot imagine why someone would find parachuting pleasurable. Never going to do it but I would think that stating what it is like for everyone would be very ill informed. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great for you that you rarely drink, though presumably given the effect of alcohol you like in some ways loosing the control you think you have, else why indulge. 

[Aruntraveller]

But if you are drunk you aren't in control of what you are doing, that would be AWFUL! I cannot see for the life of me why anyone would think that pleasurable, and never wish to find out.

You do find out things about yourself that in the normal course of events you wouldn't. For instance when trying to find somewhere to pee avoid holes in the ground. On the plus side the drunkenness seems to have stopped me from breaking any bones during my rapid plunge into a 4 foot deep hole.

So another protective quality of alcohol, much under-reported I feel.

[floo]

I feel sad for anyone who finds pleasure in getting drunk.

[Nearly Sane]

I feel sad for anyone who finds pleasure in getting drunk.

So anyway, back on subject, what donyou think should be done to deal with the problem of alcohol?

[floo]

So anyway, back on subject, what donyou think should be done to deal with the problem of alcohol?

Make it so expensive it can only be an occasional treat.

[Aruntraveller]

So anyway, back on subject, what donyou think should be done to deal with the problem of alcohol?

I think minimum unit pricing is a sensible option it's not ideal but it would perhaps make people think more carefully about their choices.

It's anecdotal so not entirely sure it is true, but it feels to me that alcohol now is relatively much cheaper than when I was younger (in the 70's & 80's).

[Nearly Sane]

Make it so expensive it can only be an occasional treat.

So you think it should be the preserve of the rich.

[Aruntraveller]

Make it so expensive it can only be an occasional treat.

And the knock on effect on the hospitality industry? Jobs, wealth creation?

It's a balancing act if you are too harsh you are initially preventing a lot of people from gaining perfectly  acceptable pleasure and secondly, severely impairing an important part of our economy.

[ad_orientem]

But if you are drunk you aren't in control of what you are doing, that would be AWFUL! I cannot see for the life of me why anyone would think that pleasurable, and never wish to find out.

Being drunk doesn't mean being out of control, not if you can hold your booze anyway.

[floo]

So you think it should be the preserve of the rich.

Then it might kill all those undeserving rich people off, much to the pleasure of a few on this forum!

[ad_orientem]

I feel sad for anyone who finds pleasure in getting drunk.

Why doesn't that surprise me. I bet you're the life and soul of the party.

[Nearly Sane]

I think minimum unit pricing is a sensible option it's not ideal but it would perhaps make people think more carefully about their choices.

It's anecdotal so not entirely sure it is true, but it feels to me that alcohol now is relatively much cheaper than when I was younger (in the 70's & 80's).

I would agree with that as a feeling but think it is primarily shop bought where the difference occurs.

As an aside, perhaps the ease of purchase, which I think has also changed, in part because of sensible reasons, might be looked at. Off licences used to be less pleasant and buying alcohol on both Scandi countries and Canada when I did it some years ago was much more of a hassle.


I struggle with this because I am by nature a libertarian and maybe it is merely middle class guilt playing on me.