Public Health Implications of the Erroll and Clayson Licensing Reports.

It is well known and emphasized by the Erroll Committee itself that "the picture …, particularly over the last 20 ,ears, is of rising overall consumption, accompanied by an increase in alcoholism death rates and in offences of drunkenness…", and among the young in the last few years not only a rise in drunkenness offences but afro in the rates of alcoholism (Glatt 1972). Further research in this field is obviously necessary, but from the public health point of view one may seriously question whether this is the best time to recommend a marked relaxation of licensing laws, and increase the availability of drink, venues, hours and opportunities for drinking, for all age group; thus making drink more widely available and socially more acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]