Checking Out With Beer & Biscuits: UK’s Booze Crisis

Ubiquity versus exclusivity- an often difficult distinction to make, especially when considering various commodities. Britain recently rides the line by stripping alcohol from supermarket shelves, in an attempt to lower consumption. Alcohol consumption has encountered somewhat of a crisis when it comes to ‘lockdown drinking’ in which Daily Mail claims, “researchers say policies to clamp down on problem drinking would work better if the UK moved to a radical Scandinavian-style system where booze is sold exclusively in off-licenses.”

Several countries in the UK have proposed efforts to control liquor consumption including raising the prices of alcohol, which, as the article puts, “has rather embarrassingly failed to achieve its intended result in Scotland.”

With the ease and convenience of grocery stores selling alcohol, Taco Tuesday sounds even better with a margarita, a bottle of wine with dinner becomes daily, and weekend food shopping on Thursday turns into celebrating “Friday Jr.”

“For every 1 percent increase in the price of food, this translated into a 1 percent decrease in alcohol consumption.”

Studies depicted an intrinsic relationship between food and alcohol buying habits, emphasizing that the price is not the only variable up for debate. Raising the price, limiting the relationship to food, public disclosure of calorie count, as well as the dangers of drinking- all plans to be highlighted and adjusted.

In turn with this, managing poverty and obesity are tied into the decision. Public health minister Jo Churchill hopes that this is a win-win for their country.

The convenience of delivery or grocery store availability is unsurpassed- especially during a pandemic. However, will the exclusivity of booze only create a bigger stir and desire for it?