I READ with interest Max Cruickshank’s excellent long letter (May 9) on the alcohol industry and its power. Big businesses – and they don’t come much bigger than drinks companies – have massive power in our capitalist society. Alcohol has long been peddled as a means of subduing (mainly) working people ... keeping them quiet and compliant, not to mention dependent on the product.
Consider the tax take: with every drink consumed, money is floated to the Westminster coffers. As if we didn’t pay enough tax already, an embedded drinking culture is an easy way of milking yet more cash from us. The smooth, flashy adverts on TV tell us how fabulous our lives will be if only we invest in their product. They don’t show the drunk-driving stats or the domestic violence perpetrated by people under the influence. The hypocrisy in criminalising tobacco use while giving free rein to drinks firms is typical of cynical politicians.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer announces he will resign if fined by police for Beergate
I don’t see our drinking culture changing much, despite the well-intentioned pricing legislation brought in by the Scottish Government – the habit of throwing our hard-earned cash away on drink is too ingrained in our society. Pity.
Jim Butchart
via email
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel