What's this all about

Simple really, We can't hit the targets for underage drinking so we will make them not underage anymore. Job done, bonus met, cash in bank
 
yup and then next year we will legalise it for 14 year olds

i will give america credit for one thing and thats making the legal age to drink 21

if anything we should be raising the age limit , it would also leave shops with little excuse for selling to 15 year olds etc because very few look 21
 
They will probably be putting bars in youth clubs next.
I suppose it will keep them off the streets and they will be drinking in a controlled environment but they will still be staggering home causing mayhem on their way.
 
Ludicrous - instead of trying to enforce the law let's change it!

I was approached a few weeks ago as I was heading into an off licence by three girls. They were clearly only about 13 yrs old. They wanted me to buy them some beer or cider. Of course, I said no but I'll bet they found some sap who was willing to help them.

Having said all that, I do think that in theory the French have the right idea in some way - teach children to respect alcohol from an early age by allowing them the odd sip of wine as they're growing up. Although I believe the French have as many problems these days with binge drinking and alcoholism as we do so it's not working in practice!
 
Trouble is, when these kids are caught drinking under age in the streets or where ever, there doesn’t seem to be a lot the Authorities can do, because they keep doing it. There doesn’t seem to be a strong enough deterrent in place which would stop these kids from taking part.
The law is the law and if you break the law then you should be punished, not just being spoken too or a few quid fine. We need something in place that would make others seriously think twice about their actions.
Just what we should have in place? I don’t know, leave that to the experts
 
you would think with the extra opening hours regarding alchol they would be more strick with rules not more relaxed it wont be long before kids are turning up to school drunk although i hear it is already happening
 
Think Len is right there about not a strong enough deterrent, but in saying that how many times do we see in the local press, how well the police are doing in their attempt to clear the streets of the drunken under age drinkers. May be stiffer penalties for those that sell them the stuff, or even close them down.
 
It must be very difficult for shop keepers and pub landlords to identify who is old enough and who isn’t. A lot of the kids do seem to look older than what they actually are. If a young person comes into your shop and buys a six pack then you must assume that that young person must be of age or if a young person comes into your pub and orders a pint then again you must assume that that young person must also be of age. I can’t see the point in throwing water at the smoke (blaming others) we need to tackle the fire. It is the kids that are breaking the law thus causing a knock-on effect to others.
 
It's unfair to blame the retailer. They do not intentionally break the law. They are being deceived. It's the kids who are breaking the law who need somethng doing about them.
 
WillowTheWhisp said:
It's unfair to blame the retailer. They do not intentionally break the law. They are being deceived. It's the kids who are breaking the law who need somethng doing about them.
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we live 2 doors down from an off licence..its changed hands loads of times through yobos,,, the sooner its closed again the better ,you cant believe the mess and the broken glass etc............
 
WillowTheWhisp said:
It's unfair to blame the retailer. They do not intentionally break the law. They are being deceived. It's the kids who are breaking the law who need somethng doing about them.
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May be not every time, but what about the "All nite booze van" in ossy, they don't care who they sell to.
 
I've just been in to the nature reserve with the kids and have seen broken vodka bottles and discarded cans. It's obviously teenagers who've been there as any self respecting adult would be drinking indoors at this time of year.
 
Personally, I would equally blame the retailers. They're also breaking the law by selling to underage and they can be prosecuted as well.

It is irresponsible retailers who compound the problem - if the teenagers can't get hold of the stuff then they can't get drunk!
 
Gayle said:
Personally, I would equally blame the retailers. They're also breaking the law by selling to underage and they can be prosecuted as well.
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Oh…. This is why everyone blames the shop keepers and landlords, is because they can be prosecuted. Nice one, well leave the kids As is and prosecute every other poor sod. hehe

Makes sense to me. :confused:
 
Some will chance their arm and businees for an extra quid or two. These youngsters gather outside and as has been pointed out someone will buy it. if these kids are lifted the shop owner denies it as some adult bought it for them and the shop keeper wont drop them in it as they would buy again. Catch 22.
 
In the majority of cases I bet that if the kids hadn’t entered the premises of whoever trying to buy alcohol in the first place then the shop keepers and landlords wouldn’t have any problems (prosecutions). I’m sure the shop keepers and landlords don’t push their products on kids that just happen to be passing by.
The kids are a fault and they need to be told. The law is the law, break it and …………….?

But obviously it doesn’t seem to be working, kids can’t be told, so why not let them into the pubs legally and save everyone else the hassle apart from landlords who may now have the added problems of trying to distinguish between the 14, 15, and 16 year old kids.
 
Does the main responsibility not lie on the shoulders of the parents for most of this. I know of kids being taken home drunk by police officers, only to be back on the streets an hour or so later.
I think in the case of a lot of the parents of these teeny terrors, it's out of sight out of mind
 
We were allowed a glass of wine at christmas when we was younger, with a splash of lemonade in. As teens, mum used to buy us a keg of cider that had to last us a month, we never abused the trust in us and non of us go OTT on alchohol now. In fact i will be having a glass of wine this christmas, my first glass in a few years.
I will also be giving both my teenage sons a glass of wine as well with their christmas dinner.
 
Len said:
Oh…. This is why everyone blames the shop keepers and landlords, is because they can be prosecuted. Nice one, well leave the kids As is and prosecute every other poor sod. hehe

Makes sense to me. :confused:
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I did use the word 'equally'. Yes, if the kids didn't go into the shop the shopkeeper wouldn't be selling them stuff! I'm not suggesting leaving the kids as is - I'm suggesting that both the kids who buy the stuff and the shopkeepers that sell it should be treated equally and both prosecuted.

As for catching them at it - yes, it's easier to catch the shopkeepers because the police can send someone in who's underage to buy alcohol and see if they sell it. It's a lot harder to catch the kids at it but here's where better police patrols and community wardens would come in!
 
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