Sir, – Tom Cooper’s eloquent and lucid defence (February 8th) of the freedom to purchase alcohol in the supermarket will doubtless have very many supporters.
If children reach their teens knowing alcohol is only to be secreted and binged, and if it is seen as something their favourite sports must shun, the Accident and Emergency departments will continue to be overloaded with tragedy.
If, however, they grow up seeing their parents drink a glass of wine with a meal, and/or a whiskey before bed, without throwing the furniture round the house, they will grow up seeing alcohol for what it is, or should be, one of life’s pleasures, to be enjoyed without the need to pour as much down the throat at any one time as possible.
A light hand from parents, not a heavy hand from the State, will be more effective in the long run. – Yours, etc,