jetpack domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131updraftplus domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131avia_framework domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131“By not elevating alcohol to a social taboo, these countries have largely avoided the related social and health issues that such a status causes.”
That is very true – they have changed the structure of the costs and benefits associated with alcohol consumption. I think its something we should look long and hard at.
]]>I found that result very enlightening as well!
]]>“What I think is needed is more education on the subject”
Indeed – education and information is so key.
]]>I have a friend who recently moved to Italy and it took him some time to get used to the fact that if he was drinking with friends, often he’d drink a bottle of wine himself while his 3 friends had shared a bottle. My friend is by no means a heavy drinker by NZ standards, but seems to be the definition of a binge drinker in those Western European countries.
By not elevating alcohol to a social taboo, these countries have largely avoided the related social and health issues that such a status causes.
]]>One point from Scandinavian friends is that raising the age/having a higher age leads to more home made liquor, which if made wrong can be deadly (or rather horrible from personal experiences). I think in Sweden, you can drink (very low % drinks) at 18, but can’t buy spirits etc until you are 20.
The big thing in NZ with the drinking age is the drink-driving argument, and that by raising the drinking-age, this would mean less alcohol related incidents. However there is the argument about that in these cases, the last drink was consumed at home.
People are all too worried about achieving a result in the short term (ie. statistics that a govt minister can use in the re-election campaign). What I think is needed is more education on the subject – not just to kids at schools, but to parents as well. It’s also not very helpful that we are surrounded by alcohol advertising everywhere we go.
Right, off to buy a couple of bottles of wine. it’s a hard life being a cultured person (I never got the binge drinking ‘culture’ tag, “I’m a cultured person, does that mean I should binge drink?”- esp when we had a minister of arts and culture.)
Alex
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