The Perfect Remedy To Your Drinking Problem: More Beer
According to the Local Government Association (LGA, which is based out of the UK), drinking more alcohol beverages that consist of lower alcohol volumes are proving to be the secret potion to curing those ill-fated, drink-related health problems.
The LGA, which represents 370 councils in England and Wales in counseling public health, has determined that the weaker an alcoholic beverage, the better for most, if not all, individuals who are used to bingeing on alcoholic drinks that contain higher alcohol volumes, resulting in health issues and violent crimes.
Tony Page, the licensing spokesman for the LGA, said the following.
“Increasing the availability of zero alcohol and weaker strength drinks will help people live healthier lives by helping to control drinking levels and tackle the harm caused by excessive drinking.”
“With a new generation of non-drinkers on the rise, there is a growing demand for greater choice in alcohol-free and weaker drinks, with several ‘dry bars’ opening up across the country [England].”
“Tax breaks for beer have helped fuel a rise in low-strength products. This should now be extended to cider, wine and spirits.”
He also said that drinking habits were changing in his country and “brewers needed to capitalize on this by producing a range of different options” for people.
The LGA has also made it clear that widening the availability of low-strength and alcohol-free drinks would “revitalize pubs, which are closing at a rate of nearly 3o businesses a week in England, and re-establish them as vibrant centers of communities.”
According to the BBC, the number of non-drinkers is growing (which is a surprising fact); one in five adults (21 percent) have admitted to not drinking alcohol at all, which is up 19 percent from 2005.
The theory behind this study is advocating for lower alcohol content in drinks, but it may not work for all alcohol consumers.
While the proposal advocates for a supposed “healthier” manner in which to drink, it may very well just encourage more consumption.
When one drinks, they do so to get that “buzzed” feeling or to just simply get drunk. Weakening beers may be a reasonable way to allow those who are out and about with their buddies to be responsible and provide them with a responsible option, but it will also just force those who are out for the sole purpose to get that “buzzed” or drunk feeling to just consume more than usual, which also results in a heftier tab.
What are the benefits of drinking beer? https://t.co/53ugEDbBvt pic.twitter.com/hQA1KTypMA
— The Thatched Inn (@Thatched_Inn) March 24, 2016
The LGA is, according to their website, “the national voice of local government,” which is led by political, cross-party organizations that work to ensure a strong local government. Their aim is to direct political agenda’s on relevant issues, in this case, alcoholism.
According to the BBC’s report, an estimated £3.5 billion a year is spent by the NHS on dealing with excessive alcohol consumption.
The report also acknowledged the possibility of lowering taxes for beers that contain less alcohol volume, which the British Beer and Pub Association has since backed.
“Lower taxes for lower strength drinks is a great idea, and we would support this principle for other drinks categories.”
Proposals like such, have yet to make their way in America, which is currently running into a big prohibition/craft beers trend that focuses on high volume alcohols with bold taste.
[Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group]
