Comment: this alcohol ban makes sense

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The party on the Circle line on Saturday night to mark closing time for drinking on London's public transport system came to a dismal - and predictable - conclusion with the closure of six Underground stations because of disorderly behaviour and assaults on policemen and Tube workers. It did, however, make for a sobering backdrop to the launch of the Government's initiative to curb youth drinking. Ministers are to issue guidelines to parents on safe limits for children drinking alcohol in the home and there will be more draconian measures to discourage young people drinking in public - including penalising their parents.

It is hard to see these proposals making much difference - not least because the Government itself has fuelled binge drinking by liberalising the licensing laws, as the Corporation of London points out today. While the jury is still out on whether liberalisation has contributed to alcohol-related crime, the evidence from hospitals and on our streets is clear: many young people are drinking far too much. So the Mayor's prompt delivery on his Tube ban is welcome. Enforcement could present problems, and since many of the threatening drunks on the late-night Tube are already the worse for wear before getting on, the wider problem remains. Further increases in the duties on alcohol would penalise moderate drinkers, though there may be a case for targeted increases on alcopops and extra-strength beer.

Much of the problem is cultural: we need to challenge the myth that getting drunk is the only way to enjoy a night out. In the meantime, alcohol bans on public transport are an inevitable result of the inability of some drinkers, like those on Saturday, to drink responsibly.