England – The British are notorious for their pubs and drinking and with a new 24-hour drinking law, the local authorities are worried about the affects this law may have on the country.
England reverted to a tighter drinking law after 1915 in order to keep factory workers sober.
Until November 23, 2005, the bars and pubs had to be closed by 11 p.m. causing patrons to empty onto the streets, after drinking as much as they could by 10:30 p.m.
The hope is for more civilized sipping and socializing, rather than chugging, screaming, and pummeling each other.
About 700 establishments have applied for around the clock alcohol sales. While the majority of establishments have only applied for a few hours past the old 11 p.m. closing time.
“I think it would be a good thing,” Plymouth State student, Christopher J. Winters continues, “It would eliminate the closing time drunk driving frenzy, but it could also cause concern for drunk driving during the early morning commute.”
According to the Department of Health, in England in 2002, 37% of men had drank more than four drinks at least during the week, once a week; while 22% of women had consumed at least three drinks. The average weekly alcohol consumption in England was seventeen drinks for men and eight drinks for women.
While in America the percent of adults who reported drinking at least one drink in the past month is about 55%. The percentage of men who drank in the past month is 62%, and 48% for women according to the Center for Disease Control.
America is already leading England in the consumption of alcohol. The affects of a 24-hour drinking law in America are questionable.
Plymouth State senior, Lindsay Wesson says that “People would take advantage of that. It wouldn’t solve things in America; if they don’t binge drink they’ll just drink and drink and drink.”
According to CNN, that’s true. “It isn’t how much is drank, but how they drink that is the problem.”