New alcohol strategy aims to discourage boozing culture

New alcohol strategy aims to discourage boozing culture
LONDON - The UK government has announced that it will be targeting the booze culture in the country and wants to encourage binge drinkers to adopt a sensible drinking method. This new method is being encouraged after it emerged that the cost of alcohol related disorders and crimes is a whooping £20 billion on an annual basis.

The measures being announced by Ministers include more help for people who cut down their boozing. Additionally the government also wants to have people become more aware of the health issues should they persist with binge drinking.

"We are not about preaching to people. We know most people drink sensibly," said Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker. "It is unacceptable for people to use alcohol and urinate in the street, vomit and carry on." The measures are also targeting drinkers in the age group of 18-24. It is estimated that the latter group indulges in heavy alcohol consumption.

Health minister Caroline Flint said the main issue was not to target middle-class drinkers, but normal people who had turned to drinking. "There are people, adults, who on a very regular basis are probably drinking twice the amount that is recommended," she added.

The new strategy also aims to introduce alcohol referral schemes in much the same manner as for drug addicts. It also asks for clear calorie labeling on alcoholic drinks.

But the British Medical Association feels the strategy is not enough. It said that posters displaying the alcohol levels in drinks must be put up in all bars to discourage drinking.