My name is Britain and I'm an alcoholic

The British Medical Association has issued a report showing the UK to be in the grip of an "alcohol epidemic.

The Telegraph says modern Britain is like an alcoholic who after years of ruining family gatherings has finally admitted he has a problem. "A change in behaviour, not pricing, is the key to a long-overdue transformation in our public culture." It calls for existing drink laws to be made stronger; a rise from 18 to 21 of the age limit to buy alcohol; and for magistrates to get back the right to punish irresponsible purveyors and consumers of drink.

Using the law to curb Britain's binge-drinking


The Independent's editorial comes down slightly harder on the buyer than the seller. Reining in reckless alcohol consumption requires a cultural shift, it says. This may not satisfy those who want tough action from the government, but the paper says public education is the most realistic option.

"The hysterical view we have of teenagers is contributing to the problem. We give young people pathetically few places to socialise, we chase them from public places with dispersal orders and then wonder why they congregate on street corners or in parks to drink alcohol."

Leading article: Cheap drink, violence, and an outbreak of moral panic