Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

PRESS RELEASE:
Raise the legal drinking age to tackle Britain’s binge-drinking youth?

15 April 2007


The legal drinking age should be raised to 21, according to columnist Jasper Gerard, in an article to be published this week in the latest edition of Public Policy Research, the Institute for Public Policy Research’s journal.

Gerard argues that the UK has ‘lost the plot’ when it comes to regulating alcohol. He proposes raising the drinking age to 21 or requiring 18-year-olds to carry smart cards which record how much they have drunk each night and restrict under-21s to three units of alcohol. He also recommends:

  • increasing the number of prosecutions and the level of fines on retailers selling alcohol to minors
  • increasing taxes on drinks targeted at young people, such as alcopops
  • restricting advertising of drinks aimed at youngsters
  • allowing 16 and 17-year-olds limited amounts of alcohol in pubs, bars and restaurants when consumed with a full meal and accompanied by someone over 21.
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