Alcopops Tax
April 16, 2009 by Susan Denny
Well here we go again! The Australian Government is once again going to try to introduce new legislation into the parliament to place a tax on Alcopops.
This is just another tax grab and we all know it. When it was first introduced it’s purpose was to slow down the purchase of Alcopops by teenagers, but all it did was to turn young people onto stronger spirits.
It’s people at the coalface who see the results of this new tax. It’s the liquour retailers, security guards, accident and emergency staff and police officers, who have to deal with a policy which encourages the purchase of stronger spirits.
In a recent survey of nearly 500 liquour stores, 88% believed that the tax increase had not reduced alcohol consumption, while 4 out of 5 said most Alcopop consumers had switched to other forms of alcohol.
So, by increasing taxes on Alcopops it’s supposed to stop young people from over consuming? I don’t think so! There’s always other alcohol products to binge on, and young adults will continue to do so no matter what the government throws at them.
What Is The Right Legal Age To Start Drinking?
October 30, 2008 by Susan Denny
I read somewhere on the internet that in France they want to change the drinking age limit from 16 to 18 years old.
Some people may be horrified at the thought of their 16 year olds drinking any type of alcohol, but in France, as in some other European countries, children grow up having a small glass of wine with their meals. To them it’s a way of life.
Provided these children are supervised as to when they are allowed to have a drink, there should not be any problem. It’s only when they party with friends who have not grown up in that culture, that the drinking can get out of hand. They not only drink wine but also get into the hard liquors which cause the problems.
In the USA the legal drinking age is 21, but on the other hand they allow their kids to have a driving licence at age 16. This suggests that kids are responsible enough to drive but not to consume alcohol.
Here in Australia the legal age for drinking is 18. Because of the prevalence of binge drinking, I personally believe we should adopt the culture of the Europeans and teach our kids the responsible way to drink, or raise the legal age limit to 21.
We cannot stop our kids from drinking alcohol. If they don’t drink it at home, they will get it elsewhere. Why don’t we as adults, take the lead and teach our kids the responsible and sensible way to consume alcohol.