That alcoholic beverages remain the most favorite drinks is proved by the reported record collections by the spirit retailers during occasions like Christmas, Onam,New Year etc. Whether this is due to addiction or curiosity is a matter of conjecture. In spite of the steep taxation measures which make the liquor costly year after year, substantial numbers are added to the drinkers' crowd. It is true that historically no forceful measures were able to reform the drinkers and governments world over are trying to escalate the cost of drinking, hoping against hope that exorbitant economic cost will progressively reduce the numbers. The premise is that many low income group of people will no more be able to afford drinking. Like smoking, some countries want to include cautionary warnings on the label but such moves are at best half-hearted as the revenue generated by the liquor industry is literally astronomical!
"Drinks firms have snubbed a Government call to put health messages and warnings for pregnant women on their bottles. A leaked official report reveals that just one in ten bottles and cans carry the health messages recommended by the Department of Health two years ago. The most controversial element was a call to include a warning to women who were trying for a baby or already pregnant. Drinks firms were advised to use the wording: 'Avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive' or a logo of a pregnant woman with a red line across it. However, key members of the industry reject the validity of this health advice and some 61.8per cent of products do not have any such warning".
It requires much foresight and vision to plan a sustained program of containing the influence of the liquor industry and free people from its vice-like grip. The evils of drinking need to be drilled into the minds of young people, probably during early years of education and such well informed young citizens may not go beyond occasional drinking out of curiosity.
V.H.POTTY
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