the booze debate

I want to do a bit of reminiscing but there is a point to all this. Years ago when I owned a place in Hawaii – and used to spend a lot of time there and in California – I used to marvel at the range of goods in supermarkets and the hours they were open.

They were actually open 24 hours a day seven days a week. I guess what made it more impressionable was that I well-remembered when Australian supermarkets closed at noon on Saturdays and butcher shops closed at 5.30 p.m. during the week.

Admittedly, things have changed here now but back then I would walk the aisles in awe at the extent of the products. The size of the deli section. And you could buy fresh meat at 2 o’clock in the morning if you so desired.

And, among the things, on the American supermarket shelves was beer and wine. And Vodka and bourbon. It was very convenient and civilised.

And that gets me to my point. Shock! Horror! According to the Herald Sun today alcohol is being sold on grocery shelves in some Victorian supermarkets. So what?

Various anti-drug and alcohol groups are up in arms about it. Talk about a storm in a beer mug.

What on earth is the difference between having alcohol on a supermarket grocery shelf than having to walk ten feet to the associated, incorporated, liquor shop next door?

I saw one quote that said “selling alcohol as if it is just another product suggests there’s no risk attached to using it”.

Well, it IS “just another product.” And do the do-gooders seriously think that a non-drinker or an occasional drinker is going to grab a bottle of Scotch as they pick up their All Bran?

Wherever alcohol is sold there are restrictions. You can’t buy it if you are under 18. Like there are restrictions on the sale of cigarettes. Should cigarettes be removed from supermarket shelves?

Look, I am happy if people are asked for proof of age at the checkout counter. I am happy for health warnings to be put on every bottle of booze or can of beer.

But I cannot see the difference, except for convenience, between picking a bottle of wine off a supermarket shelf or going next door and buying it.

Again you say: It’s my life. Get out of it!

Thursday, January 12, 2006

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2006