...The precedence is already set for a concerted campaign against drugs (including the drug alcohol); and it is large for all to see right now, following a successful concerted Government sponsored attack on cigarette smoking.

...This was a war of attrition with small beginnings and distant rumblings. But eventually the war was won, to the huge benefit of future generations. The war must now be waged against the “culture” of drinking in Australia, and the beginning of that war should be a campaign to disassociate acceptance of alcohol use from current social norms. One such example would be to impose a zero tolerance of alcohol to road users, (IE; from the current .05 norm to zero).

<<Civil libertarians argue that young people should not be demonised for having a ‘sip of wine’.>>

No, Paul. It seems that you simply fail to understand what libertarianism is about:

Nothing in Libertarian thought says that alcohol drinkers should not be demonized or that there should be no attempt to prevent the blood, bruises and tears. Of course demons should be demonized! The only difference between Libertarian and leftist thought is that the government, itself a demon, itself a product of violence, has no right to interfere and exorcise demons out of people without their consent. Why should the government have such rights and not the boogeyman for example?

Libertarianism simply believes that the cure of legislation is worse than the disease!

Memo to Commonwealth Government:
Overhaul the taxation laws relating to alcohol with uniformity of taxation across the whole spectrum of drinks ( beer, wine. spirits) together with an increase in alcohol tax.
A recent Canadian study (as reported in the media) showed that this resulted in less consumption, less alcohol addiction, less alcohol related crime, and less alcohol related health issues.
Extra revenue from the tax will also assist the Commonwealth to balance the budget.

Dear nswnotill,

I don't personally drink alcohol, but everyone has their own "alcohol", even if it isn't C2H5OH, even if it isn't a chemical at all.

So before you tax other people's alcohol, can you be so sure that your own dear variety will not be the next on the list.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!