“The three solutions I can see are, you either pay the extra, decrease your intake or brew your own. Think I'm going for option three. It'll be a laugh if nowt else.”

“Homebrew was all the rage in the 70`s and flippin` good it was too. Can`t think why we don`t still do it.
The younger drinkers (not underage) will carry on regardless, the wino`s will go back to the days of drinking meths and the rest of us will probably cut back and drink tea.”

“The reasoning behind this proposed regulation is that it will curb the binge drinkers who end up in our hospitals and police stations. So why not impose a system of fining for these offenders?
As usual the hard working tax payers will be subsidising these low life.
If I didn't have my children living in the U.K I would be out of here like a shot, I love this country but recently have had a belly full of the dreadful behaviour by our government, the BBC, social services ,the chavs with their nasty dogs, immigrants who don't live within the law,DHSS scroungers and finally the people that are too fat and lazy to walk so buy a disability scooter.
Sorry steveodore but I feel a bit better now!”

“Well said Missfoodlove. There are also the long term drinkers that need long term hospitalisation and have very long term failing health because of their alcohol abuse. This is obviously what the government are leading us to believe is the target audience of the increases. But in my opinion, won't these people find the money for their habit? They always seem to.”

“Mr,DJ
They will probably fund their habits by stealing off the likes of us.”

“Agree totally. Extra locks required I think.”

“No, I do not agree with the proposals. Price increases will obviously penalise those who drink moderately and sensibly and not those who cause the problems. As mentioned above, those who have to need the attendance of the polce, the NHS, Fire services,etc. should be made to pay for it. Premises outside which these happenings occur regularly should be financially penalised and threatened with closure if continued. It might be better for everyone if we went back to the old hours of opening and extentions allowed for special occasions.
Needless to say I also think anyone who neglects their health with obesity and smoking should also pay for their treatment.”

“mutton8

"Needless to say I also think anyone who neglects their health with obesity and smoking should also pay for their treatment."

What about drivers who have accidents, sports players who get injured during the game and people who have accidents doing their DIY? After all they caused their own injuries.

As far as damaging their health through obestity and smoking, who can prove that? As slim people develop heart problems, cancer and diabetes and non-smokers get lung cancer, who is going to decide who has to pay?

Oh I know, you.”

“When they do this I am going to M&s and get some quality bath salts and to B&Q to buy a bag of this plant food they are all raving about...”

“Personally they could put it up to a pound per unit for me as 99% of my alcohol intake is done in the pub where it is already about that amount.
If it stops some of the alchys who gather in groups at various place around the city in parks and other public spaces from having the means to drink, then great.”

“It`s alright demanding that the obese and smokers pay for their treatment but many of them do already. We all pay income tax and national insurance contributions.”

“Many people directly or indirectly cause their own illnesses/accidents.

A few months ago I lost a contact lens in my eye and after a couple of days of suffering, I ended up in HRI. Should they have charged me? After all it was my fault by pressing too hard on my eye while washing my face.

Some research shows that eating red meat causes cancer. And dairy products aren't particularly healthy either. Maybe vegans are the only ones who should get free health treatment?”

“I walk all almost everywhere and think I`m fairly active. However I`m now suffering with arthritis in my hips and will probably need a hip replacement in the future. Should I have to pay for this treatment afterall I`ve worn my hips out?”

“If the government are so concerned about alcohol - why don't they ban it from the bars in westminster and stop providing it for free at socials and events?”

“Yes flossy, I certainly think you ought to.

And if you get the flu then don't be running to your doctors (especially with the state of your hips) because it's your own fault for picking up the virus.

And what about knee replacements? Some people wear them out because they are putting too much weight on them, others because they take too much exercise. Should the one who did too much exercise pay? They were trying to keep healthy but at the same time, they took too much exercise.”

“I agree with much of the sense above. I know many people will disagree with this but I want to point out that addiction (of any kind) is not a "lifestyle choice"; it's a disease in the original sense of the word.

Nobody would freely choose the desperate life of an addict, legal or otherwise. Smoking is a bit of a problem with this argument as we still have some peoe who started before the full facts were known. Also it doesn't rule your life as it is not as mind altering as alcohol or the illegal drugs.

Alcoholics will not start mugging little old ladies or robbing your shed to get money for booze. It is readily available in many forms so don't panic. Your lives will not be made worse. If an alcoholic needs to wait until they have £4 for a bottle of wine, they'll wait. It's not the same as heroin. You feel bad, really bad, but you can wait or find an alternative.

Anyone who wants to accuse me of being a beardy, sandal wearing, yoghurt knitting Guardianista can save their breath. Yes I am. And proud of it. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate.”

“jenoh

I am going to take you up on one of your points. Knowing the dangers of smoking. My mother smoked, almost everyone did in those days, but long before she died (when I was 13) I used to write that smoking would kill her on her cig packets.

If I knew that when was 6, I don't think there is any excuse for anyone else not to know either. Had she still been alive she would have been in her late 90s, and if she was still alive smoking wouldn't have done her much harm. What I am trying to say is, I don't think anyone alive and smoking these days didn't know it was dangerous- though like all the ones who still start - they ignored the fact.

Also, I suppose you could say that the average drinker/smoker pays an awful lot of tax that the rest of us don't pay so maybe they are ntitled to whatever medical attention they need from doing so.In that I am not including the binge drinkers who get swept up off the road over the weekends in town centres. On a recent Judge Judy a woman was suing for medical bills and the cost of calling an ambulance was over $900.”

“Jenoh
I agree addiction is not a lifestyle choice I don't however agree that an alcoholic will wait until they have the money they need for their fix. An alcoholic will steal and will and worse to feed their addiction. I lived in a small village in the south where a neighbour was a serious alcoholic, she would steal from neighbours, she told a team of engineers working in the village her son had died that she was struggling to pay for the funeral, they had a whip round and gave her £100.00! When things were very tough she would go to Oxford and prostitute herself.Her husband and children were lovely people who lived through day after day of cringing embarrassment, fear and shame. Many of the thefts in the village were down to her and often they went unreported because villagers didn't want to upset her family.
I think there is little difference between an alcoholic and a drug addict except one drug is legal and therefore perhaps more acceptable.”

“Missfoodlove was your neighbours relieved when you moved up north :)?

Steveodore lock your door, missfoodlove is you neighbour and might be in your backway ... maybe the meeting in the takeaway was not a chance encounter afterall ....”

“Joking aside my friends son is an addict and he is buying drugs from the many street dealers openly trading in full public view on spring bank standing outside the shops.

The misery this is causing the family is unthinkable

I can see dealers trading on street so why are the police turning a blind eye to this?”

“Don't know JZ becausae if they do go to court, they are hammered.”

“Yes, those of us who pay NI or have paid it all their working lives are entitled to NHS treatment, and those who pay Council Tax should be able to call on the Police, Fire Service, etc. but what about those who do not pay their share? And most do not abuse those services.
Try and convince a private insurance company to pay out if you have an accident over the limit or using your mobile. Contributary negligence is practised by them, why not the NHS and the police?”

“Mmm. So homebrew is the only answer. Case dismissed.”

“bt,
I don't think missfoodlove is my neighbour, I have read elsewhere about her various likes and dislikes food wise and she seems quite particular about what she puts in her mouth, whereas my neighbour doesn't seem so partic ;)

I have read somewhere that the police spend 80% of their time dealing with the same 5% of the population and a great deal of this is down to various addictions, be it alcohol or drugs, someone or something needs to take the bull by the horns and have a serious attempt at making a difference finally.”

“mutton8

"Yes, those of us who pay NI or have paid it all their working lives are entitled to NHS treatment"

So mothers who stay at home to bring up their children and those everyone under 16 aren't entitled to use the NHS then? Better get rid of maternity hospitals then.”

“Steveodore,
You are quite correct, I am indeed particular. Anything that passes my lips must be home grown and *********:)”

“Oh dear I was referring to how I like my Aberdeen Angus at least 21 days!”

“I read in the advertiser that the police are taking sniffer dogs on school buses and in parks to deter drug takers ... how about walking them down spring bank? I am sure that would prove rather fruitful”

“TaxPayer Alliance reports that 'the min. price on booze could cost the tax payer £650m a year.
It will push up inflation by 0.2% forcing taxpayers an extra £455m a year towards benefits.....and the Government will lose £200 in duty'.
So not only do we pay more for our booze, we give out more in benefits and probably have to make up the losses in duty by paying more income tax - good scheme then!”

“bt,
"I read in the advertiser"
What is this? Is it an East Hull thing?

mutton8,
The rise in benefits is easily sorted by removing the index link from benefits.
Us workers don't get an index linked pay rise ( well I don't, and don't know anyone that does), so why should claimants be any different?
As I said, they can whack it up to a quid a unit, or more even, for me.”

“missfoodlove,
veryblack ?”

“The Tax Payers' Alliance is a a pressure group set up to campaign for lower taxes by a few disgruntled Tories who didn't think that the party was going far enough and represents a very few, rich people who (obviously) will benefit from lower taxes and they oppose a wealth tax because it would hit their very wealth members.

One of the directors lives in France and doesn't pay any UK tax. They want to scrap child allowance, Sure Start Centres and the secondary school new building programme. They don't want to make government more efficient, they want to cut back on government spending

A bit like the Tea Party movement in the USA.”

“gw69 - As usual, just an irrelevant gush of information which has nothing to do with post about the minimum price of alcohol.”

“mutton8

You brought up the subject of theTax Payers Alliance being some important source of information.

All I did was explain who they are so that people can read YOUR post in context.

Why should someone living in France and paying no UK tax lecture the country on its taxing policies? If he feels so strongly on the subject he should return to the UK.”

“mutton8, you to serve (15 all in this first game....)”

“mimi your commentry and jokes are as dire as your DJing ... u got a job yet? - ur always on here!”

“mutton8 if you don't like the forums why come on here? you think your a political mastermind and a step above - but no one really comments because you talk out of your rear end and you dont really know what your on about

Shall we make this a doubles match dj? dont forget we know who you are and your weakness.”

“back to thread no it wont affect the 100 units I aim to drink tonight ... work hard play hard...chin chin steveodore :)”

“My weakness? Even i don't know that! Go for it....tell the world! Ha”

“...and everyone knows who I am. I am a local celeb and have been for many years. One of the main reasons a chap like my goodself ventures away from weaknesses! Although I have a little dibble on the old Foster's from time to time, but try not to do anythingg TOO naughty. Even ole JR wouldn't be able to dish any dirty on Mimi. Well, dogs in lifts and dusty goodies maybe. As for my DJing. You've obviously never been to one of my shows or you'd have had a little more respect. I thank you. xx”

“jz

you wouldn't.”

“wouldn't what? drink 100 units or reveal gc's weakness or play doubles ... Pick up your racket g69, I pick you on my team ... these suckers have no chance...”

“bt,
I'll watch from the sidelines, don't forget to strike the classic pose;)

http://tinyurl.com/c25uzsu”

“steveodore

Well an audience would be nice but who are you going to shout encouragement to?

jz

I was referring to the penultimate sentence in the post above mine. When I said "you wouldn't" it was in answer to that.”

“steveodore - be careful what you wish for mimi might do it in his frock ...

g69 - in tennis terms ...u can an not be serious!”

“jz

maybe one day we ought to visit the ice arena and see what we are missing! Probably all the re-cycled jokes we have already read on here.

Wouldn't that be fun? We could watch him and he wouldn't have a clue we were there.”

“g69,
I'm offended that you even ask who I will shout for.

Two thirds of the "forum angels" or a silly old f**t ( who if I didn't know better, I would swear was my dad) and the resident writer of shart poems and all round cheesyness.

I'll be stood waiting for you to leave the court with my marker pen so I can get you both to sign a ball ;)”

“g69 the fact we were giggling and over 10 might give it away”

“Go on then betty luv, give us a clue on my weakness cos i reckon you're bluffing and I am waiting with baited breath..... (turning blue in colour.....)”

“jz

But you have a secret weapon.

Your son.

OK you would have to bribe him heavily to encourage him to go (I'll renegotiate my mortgage so that I can help you out), but all he'll see is a boy and two yummy mummies.”

“Drone. Anyway one of the senior ladies has seen my show many times and helped me with my gear. So she says. I shall be my usual sparkling self when you do come to heap your love on me at the rink. But try not to embarrass eh? I think I've just realised who you are. Doh! How silly of me. Was only thinking 'wonder if she's still on the go' the other day. Still would love to hear about this weakness. If it's a big dollop of ice cream in a pint of coke, count me in.”

“Make your mind up Mimi.

Either you are a local celebrity (which means that people know you and might have actually been somewhere when you were playing music) or everyone is making it up and you are surrounded by potential stalkers.

You can't have it both ways.”