4 Conclusion
118. In the course of this Inquiry the Committee
has been mindful of several, considerations, some of which are
sometimes in conflict with each other:
a) The great majority of citizens enjoy alcoholic
products without significant evidence of harm to their health;
b) Against that background, the business of supplying
alcoholic products is an entirely legitimate business;
c) Alcohol is, however, a product which has the
capacity directly to cause serious damage to individual health,
and indirectly to cause to significant social problems primarily
though law-breaking and family breakdown;
d) Proper understanding of the rights and responsibilities
which underpin a free society therefore require a particular framework
of responsibility around the supply and consumption of alcohol;
e) This framework of responsibility should be
the subject of constant review in the light of changing evidence
and attitudes;
f) The Committee welcomes the Government's Alcohol
Strategy as a timely attempt to provide such a review and development
of the framework;
g) The Committee offers this Report as a contribution
to that process.
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