On the subject of binge and underage drinking and its problems, increasing taxes will have no effect, other than that of penalising ordinary, sensible drinkers - another stealth tax in fact.
Anyone who thinks that, say, 50p on a pint of strong lager is going to make a difference to those choosing to drink 10 pints on a Friday night is living in cloud cuckoo land.
Similarly, 20p or 30p on a bottle of strong white cider will not deter 13-year-olds from ganging up on innocent fathers and kicking them to death.
I have no solutions, but a simple piece of social manipulation may help.
Raise the age at which one can buy off-sales to 21.
It is reasonable to continue to allow sales to over-18s within licensed premises, with a strict policy barring takeaway sales.
The new age limit would apply to supermarkets, garages and off-licences, with strict penalties and loss of licence for non-enforcement.
It is common for 18-year-olds to associate with lower age groups, to whom they can supply alcohol they have legally bought under current laws.
The likelihood of 21-year-olds 'playing' with younger teenagers is very much reduced. It's not rocket science.
JAY DENSON The Green Charlbury
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