Since my previous post on alcohol, much has been said in the media regarding opinions on irresponsible consumption.
The Tories have now come out with a plan that proposes to scrap the term “unit of alcohol” in favor of the European standard “centilitre”. This despite the fact that a “unit” is a “centilitre”!
In fairness, they also want to make this information mandatory for drinks manaufacturers to put on labels, as well as adding information on “calories” and what constitutes “normal” consumption amounts.
The goal is to allow people to make informed choices, creating a positive climate for behavioural change.
A noble aspiration indeed!
But one I fear will fall short of what the real objectives should be, which are to make people more responsible, more considerate and more healthy.
The reality is that drinks manaufacturers have been on the honor system when it comes to disclosure since the late 90’s. Only one half of all bottles of alcoholic drinks contain information about “units”. Less than 20% give advice about “sensible” drinking levels.
Why?
Because they run the risk of making their products less atrractive than their competitors.
Most people have no idea what a unit is, or how many units in any given favorite tipple. I don’t think they actually care, or could be bothered to find out.
So rubbing their noses in unsolicited information will only create animosity and consolidate resentment towards a culture that already uses terms like “mandatory” and “improving compliance”.
We are humans, not robots … and it is our responsibility to take charge of our own health, not the remit of our governments.
Of course, governments will argue that they are trying to reduce unacceptable behaviour and are looking out for our health. But my view is that they could reduce unacceptable behaviour through punitive sanction (rather than molly-coddling, excusing, or rehabilitating).
And with respect to health, I have long since come to the realisation that you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
Unlike many humans who can’t stop drinking!
Bottom line: stop appealing to the better natures of people with an inconsiderate nature … and stop trying to control behaviours by expecting people to be responsible “if they get informed”.
Who are you kidding? People know that alcohol is bad for health, is loaded with empty calories and can be antisocial in excess. They just don’t care. More information won’t make them start to care.
Want to stop binge drinking? Punish the perpetrators where it hurts … in their wallets. Don’t negotiate with them, fine them. Heavily. Relentlessly. They’ll soon learn.
And if people want to kill themselves through irresponsible consumption, make them pay for all alcohol-related treatment. Society already picks up a big enough tab!
And please, stop excusing bad behaviour “because they didn’t know what they were doing”. Before they got going, they were absolutely aware of where things might lead.
And just as aware that the “inconvenience” consequences were minimal.
The booze industry makes money by capitalizing on human nature, human physiology and gross inconsistencies in the logics behind the legislation governing substances that harm human beings. People will never accept they are addicted and they will make every excuse to keep drinking whether they know the facts or not.
Bans just create opportunities for illicit business and drive the price up making the risks justifiable. That’s obviously not an option.
So whack the price up and use the tax windfall to fund the salaries of the poor people who have to deal with the offensive fallout for a living.
Subsidise these costs heavily with outrageous fines.
People will soon get the message. Oh yeah … but you may not get elected into power any time soon.
I forgot.
Addiction doesn’t care. The tax payer funding the NHS should.
So what does that tell you about the democratic process? The mind boggles.
