MINIMISING the harm done by alcohol is a necessary and worthy debate.
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The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council has proposed a series of reforms aimed at tackling the damage excessive drinking has in the community.
Among the proposals are cracking down on drinks promotions and happy hours in bars, reviewing the legal drinking age, having a zero blood-alcohol limit for driving and restricting alcohol at sporting and family events.
There are some very simple suggestions in that proposal that should cause little concern.
Of particular note is the ban on promotions that encourage people to consume a certain number of alcoholic beverages in order to claim a prize.
Often these types of promotions establish a drink level well above the recommended daily intake, which takes people into the realms of binge drinking. And all for the sake of a stubby holder or T-shirt.
Banning happy hours might prevent the initial rush to the bars but in reality an extra dollar or two is not going to curb problem drinkers.
It might actually impact those people who only want to have a couple of drinks at a cheaper price before calling it a night.
There is also room for pushing back on the proposed 0.00 blood-alcohol limit as it would mean people would not be able to have a glass of wine while out for dinner before driving home.
But clearly the over consumption of alcohol causes a lot of damage in the community.
That could be damage to themselves through risk-taking behaviour or damage to other people through drink-driving or assault.
It is worth noting, as the Tasmanian Hospitality Association points out, that 70 per cent of alcohol is bought and consumed off licensed premises.
There is no control of people buying and consuming alcohol in those environments.
That is where education, particularly of young people about to reach legal drinking age, is necessary so they have a responsible relationship with alcohol.
Sadly, Australians associate alcohol with just about every social event.
Birthdays, celebrations, graduations, funerals, sporting events and social engagements are almost mandated drinking occasions.
Changing that attitude will go a long way to curbing the damage done by excessive drinking.