Would a total spirits ban work in England?

[daveinprague]

If anybody is coming to Prague this weekend, be aware that no spirits over 20% will be available...anywhere...not bars, restaurants, supermarkets. No idea when they will lift the ban. A total ban following the methanol scandal that has killed 23 people so far, and blinded a lot more. Government has taken the step of banning all spirits over 20%. Was wondering if that work in UK? Im thinking its pretty easy here with only 10 million population. We had one positive at the bar..It was our last weekend, and none of the customers tried to kill each other, but I couldnt imagine a total ban like this working in a more populous country.

 

[Aadam]

I don't understand the question. 'Would a total spirits ban work in England?' -- work in what way, exactly?

 

[Lincoln Imp]

It works for me OK.

 

[daveinprague]

Would the authorities be able to ban all spirits in the UK, and how would they enforce it basically, and would bars, supermarkets, restaurants follow the ban... a lot of people here think a total ban is over the top...Doesnt bother me, as i dont drink spirits..but I cant imagine this being enforceable in a country with a bigger population.

 

[happypig]

It would probably lead to a number of deaths/injuries when people try to distill their own.
However, a ban on under 25s being allowed to drink spirits wouldn't be a bad thing IMHO (although difficult in practice)

 

[Aadam]

It would probably lead to a number of deaths/injuries when people try to distill their own.
However, a ban on under 25s being allowed to drink spirits wouldn't be a bad thing IMHO (although difficult in practice)

They do this in Austria. They have limits for what type of alcohol you can drink depending on your age. Me, I love a glass of Whiskey after a long day in the office, I would find some way of procuring some, if there was a ban.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Does this ban mean that I will finally have to pour the bottle of disgusting fruit-based spirit I bought in Prague about 12 years ago down the sink?

 

[BensGrandad]

Cant understand what would be gained by banning spirit sales. There are many drunk on wine which is not as strong % wise.

 

[daveinprague]

Youre probably safe LB...if you really want to drink it haha..

 

[D'Angelo Saxon]

Cant understand what would be gained by banning spirit sales. There are many drunk on wine which is not as strong % wise.

They're not gonna ban wine due to knock-offs with high levels of methanol though, are they.

 

[Bulldog]

No, it wouldn't work, banning stuff rarely does if there is a big enough demand for it. Look at drugs, long prison terms for those caught yet they are easier to get than a packet of fags. Given the number of people that enjoy spirits it would take 5 minutes for the criminal gangs to diversify and supply the demand.

 

[yxee]

Scotland would become the new Columbia.

 

[ifuhatepalacestandup]

see 1930s America no ban on spirits is enforceable would just make illegal hooch more prevalent

 

[dingodan]

Would the authorities be able to ban all spirits in the UK, and how would they enforce it basically, and would bars, supermarkets, restaurants follow the ban... a lot of people here think a total ban is over the top...Doesnt bother me, as i dont drink spirits..but I cant imagine this being enforceable in a country with a bigger population.

Have a look at what Prohibition did in the U.S.

Al Capone was a product of the prohibition of Alcohol. Alcohol is my least favorite poisonous substance, but banning stuff is not the answer.

 

[5mins-from-amex]

Ask Derek Acorah, Hes ITK apparently.

 

[Falkor]

wouldn't effect me i cant stand spirits.

But is the issue not to do with thee fact they believe someone has poisoned spirits over there

 

[daveinprague]

Its the bootleg spirits that have killed 23 in the last week.... just seems a bit draconian to ban all spirits because of bootleg booze bought on the street etc...

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Its the bootleg spirits that have killed 23 in the last week.... just seems a bit draconian to ban all spirits because of bootleg booze bought on the street etc...

100s are dying each week in India due to illegal booze.

 

[daveinprague]

Yeah, so I believe..The Russias have a problem with it as well, but its the worst they have seen here for 40 odd years apparently.

We ran out of Whiskey once, and bought some at the local cornershop, that turned out to be water...but im grateful it was water and didnt kill or blind anybody...

 

[Falkor]

Surely though if it's like we get over here at times vodka in a smirnoff bottle but it's actually fake, then it's a customs issue also for getting into the country. That said I know publicans that buy a bottle of smirnoff then fill it with cheap foreign shite.