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.

In a recent report compiled by the NHS Confederation and the Royal College Of Physicians, it was revealed that alcohol-related conditions cost the health service 2.7 billion pounds a year!

Youch.

Apparently that figure is double what it was five years ago and is said to be placing “an unsustainable burden” on the NHS. One of the “solutions” proposed is a 532 pound charge to anyone who ends up in hospital as a result of drinking themselves stupid.

My feelings?

Until our culture stops viewing excess drinking as a minor misdemeanor, comparable to a parking violation, not much will change.

What actually scared me most about this report was the revelation that one quarter of the UK population now drinks at levels considered “hazardous” to health.

That’s insane! It’s totally irresponsible and out of control … and the fact that we tolerate it shows just how far peoples’ values have become skewed.

If you don’t share my view that excessive drink makes people obnoxious, aggressive and a total hazard to regular, considerate people who manage their consumption responsibly … then try putting yourself in the shoes of the poor souls tasked with managing the fallout.

Paramedics and police who are abused verbally and physically. Peaceful people who are subjected to abuse and exposed to potentially dangerous violence.

And if you are forced to defend yourself because these selfish clowns won’t just disappear and leave you alone, now you’re exposed to legal recourse and potential criminal charges if you hurt them. Poor babies!

But we tolerate them and hardly blink when there is an escalation. All in a night’s work. Don’t worry mate. Sleep it off. Here’s a slap on the wrist that changes absolutely nothing. Only if you get caught behind the wheel of a car will you now face real sanction … and by then, maybe way too late.

What does this have to do with fat loss?

In my humble opinion, everything. If 25% of our population is harming themselves and exposing others to unwanted nastiness, what on earth do you think they’re doing to themselves.

Their mental health? Their livers?

Don’t kid yourself … just because we are told “healthy” limits are 2 units a day for men, doesn’t change the fact that alcohol is a protoplasmic poison that kills virtually all the living cells it comes in contact with.

Not too serious on occasion? Maybe. Assuming you are not in someone else’s face.

But over time alcohol contributes nothing but excess calories and physiological stress.

But it’s just a little social lubrication. Stop being such a party pooper. Yeah, you’re right. Hell, I drink too on occasions. But I also am under no illusions as to the damage it’s doing to my system.

I justify it by saying that I don’t become offensive because I never get drunk. I’m an adult, so please leave me alone to conduct myself responsibly. If I want to hurt myself to a “manageable” degree, that’s my business. Go harass the “real” criminals.

Fine … but when the wheels fall off who pays the bill?

Those 25% (I’d bet the number is diplomatically conservative) will get sick in later life. Heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, circulatory disease etc. And they’ll all blame it on family history, or just “getting old”. And the health care system will be expected to pick up the pieces.

Is it really worth that much to you?

I used to pride myself on the amount of alcohol I could consume with negligible visible impact.

Today I pride myself on drinking a tiny fraction of what I used to. I still have just as much fun. And I feel infinitely better for it.

Perhaps I’m just getting old?