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Letter: Societal drinking

Published 7 April 2009

From Munjed Farid Al Qutob

Andy Coghlan is to be commended for bringing to our attention the dangers of “passive drinking” and its impact on our environment, economy and society (28 March, p 22). However, the problem has reached such proportions that it cannot be solved simply by increasing the price of alcohol. A multi-pronged approach is urgently needed, requiring all stakeholders to share responsibility. Parents need to ensure they pay enough attention to their children’s behaviour, the advertising industry should take a key role in highlighting the perilous repercussions of binge drinking, and the government should address the issue by offering better job stability, improved education and healthier places for teenagers to hang out, such as sporting facilities.

London, UK

Issue no. 2703 published 11 April 2009

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