[Lauren]

I think it's bad in large amounts, but to say it is "bad" in general I think is a misinformed opinion. Alcohol in small amounts can be helpful to the human body and can prevent things such as heart failure and reduce the risk of cancer.
HOWEVER - Many people do use this fact as an excuse to drink alcohol and deny alcoholism.

Personally, I drink alcohol, at the most once a week and this is usually when I am out with friends. Other times I may just have one drink during a pub lunch or something. When I am out with friends I drink alcohol (I've only been REALLY drunk once or twice), and I am well aware of the health risks of this, yet I will argue that it's my free choice and although not many people will agree with this - I'm not hurting anybody else.

I don't have much experience of alcoholism at all, but it's fair to say since I am a teenager I know a lot of people who binge drink most nights - but this is mainly for social reasons as opposed to an addiction.

Underage drinking is on the increase. It has always been around but I believe it keeps heightening in danger, and then lowering again. I didn't drink alcohol until I was 15/16 and although this is against the law - I know there's cases where children as young as 12 are drinking alcohol. ID restrictions are once again becoming an issue, and in recent times I think the media have kept an eye on binge drinking issues and so I believe the issue will continue being raised.

I don't think pubs have a duty to keep alcohol abuse under control. In the end, it's a pubs job to serve punters and if the customer is able to order their drinks fine, without causing a nuisance to others then I don't see why it should be a pubs responsibility to intervene with this.