Brewery companies that manufacture and supply to bars across the country would also be adversely affected by the closing down of bars. Major alcoholic beverage companies make millions of dollars in profits each year, a large percentage of the retail distribution happening via bars. When the latter would be closed down this supply chain would be adversely affected, leading to significant losses for the companies until they find alternative ways of continuing supply. Once again, one would not see any long-term decline in drink consumption among the youth, as these companies find novel ways of advertising and marketing their products to the target consumer group. (Gunnell, 2005, p.20)
More than being commercial retail outlets, bars have become an integral part of the American social experience. Upon closure of bars, a key aspect of the American popular culture would be altered. The importance of cultural identification cannot be over emphasized. This observation is as valid in the case of bars as it is with other cultural identifiers. Having thus presented the positive consequences of continued existence of bars, it should be stated that their closure could improve health outcomes and reduce crime rates in the surrounding localities. Brawls are a common feature of bars and brawls starting inside it often continue outside as gang fights and shoot-outs. So while closing down bars may not significantly reduce the consumption of alcohol among the youth, it will certainly deprive them of a social setting in which much of the criminal activity brews. As an indirect outcome of closing down bars, the health status of adolescents and young people is set to improve as well. This assessment should be qualified with the following findings from a research study: “Although the full prohibition of alcohol sales has been demonstrated to reduce alcohol problems in remote communities or on special occasions, it is not a viable option in highly populated urban areas. There, limited restrictions and partial bans are more feasible policy alternatives. The evidence presented herein supports the notion that a partial restriction on alcohol sales can affect drinking in large communities.” (Voas, et.al., 2002, p.286)
Works Cited:
“Alcohol Ideas out of Touch; VIEWPOINTS.” South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales) 8 Apr. 2009: 34.
Gunnell, Barbara. “What We Don’t Know about Drinking: Is There a Connection between Binge Drinking, Alcohol-Related Illness and the Licensing Hours? No One Really Knows, Writes Barbara Gunnell, and That Includes the Government.” New Statesman 29 Aug. 2005: 20+.
Raven, Charlotte. “Drink and Be Damned: New Laws Won’t Reduce Our Frantic Consumption of Alcohol. Booze Occupies a Hole in Our Core Sense of Identity Which Used to Be Filled by Music or Politics.” New Statesman 7 Feb. 2005: 30+.
Voas, Robert B., James E. Lange, and Mark B. Johnson. “Reducing High-Risk Drinking by Young Americans South of the Border: The Impact of a Partial Ban on Sales of Alcohol.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol 63.3 (2002): 286+.