BBC News Updated every minute of every day

Added: Friday, 10 July, 2009, 24:41 GMT 01:41 UK

How is telling young people to use their imagination instead of resorting to drinking for entertainment going to change anything? If they lack the motivation to do so already, why would patronising them resolve the issue. I also found it hilarious when a lady in the audience suggested reading a book as an alternative to a night out. Socialising with friends is very different to reading which is generally a much more personal and interior act

Dale, Cambridge, UK, England,

Added: Friday, 10 July, 2009, 24:01 GMT 01:01 UK

As an 18 year old student, I actually find it a little worrying that the idea that central government should such step in and legislate against binge drinking was recieved as warmly as it was on tonight's programme by a group of my peers. As one panelist later highlighted in response to another question, it is incredibly short-sighted of the government to legislate against any and every isssue, yet this is exactly what we are calling for here. What is really needed is cultural change.

Blake Hemingway, Wakefield, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:55 GMT 23:55 UK

Is it not insulting to the Chief Medical Officers of England and Scotland that nobody mentioned there support for legislation on minimum pricing for alcohol? Did the panel not know, or did they choose to ignore it?

richard, Glasgow, UK, Scotland,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:49 GMT 23:49 UK

Lack of social activities provided for teenagers is a massive problem. In my area the only scheme aimed at my age group appeals only to 10-13 year olds as the activites offered are limited or out of touch with modern teenager's interests. If this particular scheme does not appeal to you you can't even go to the bowling alley because you have to be 18 to get in after 9pm, or a local venue to see a band because putting on a non alcohol night even with an entry fee does not appeal to the venue.

Annie, Cambridge, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:36 GMT 23:36 UK

Statistics show that the age group from 16 to 28 is the most unhappy age group in britain. Rightly or wrongly, is it any wonder that some drink excessively as a form of escapism?

Tim, Portsmouth, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:33 GMT 23:33 UK

joe from guildford, i think your a bit of a fool, 6 pint limit is a joke on your behalf, people should be able to make their own decisions on how much we drink, a nanny state we shall not become.. binge drinking as about own choice and own consequences, if one is found drunken disorderly they shall be dealt with, we should not however limit alcohol consumption, joe your comments should be taken flippantly, as you appear to have no understanding of the world. I bet you're T total !!!

anthony mape, Handforth, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:32 GMT 23:32 UK

In the debate, no-one suggested a ban on advertising alcohol (as there is on tobacco products). Surely wouldn't this be the single most effective step to tackle the problem? Or are there too many bigwigs from the alcohol industry with their hands on the parliamentary tiller?

Jake, Oxford, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:31 GMT 23:31 UK

Joe in Guildford, would you suggest that testing people in public for traces of Class A or B drugs is also sensible? They are illegal, alcohol isn't. Educate people, yes please... nanny state, no thanks.

Richard, Malmesbury, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:29 GMT 23:29 UK

The Government is not doing enough to discourage binge drinking among young people. It has to be remembered that they gain a lot of revenue out of the sale of alcohol through taxation. It is a great threat to the health of young people especially through their later years of life which they will regret in time. Binge drinking though is not a problem among young people alone, older people can also do their fair share and along with the young, do take advantage of all day drinking where they can.

Steve Fuller, Hove, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:28 GMT 23:28 UK

with the youth the binge drinking problem is separated by the class system still, im only 22, and as a young 16-17 year old, i did drink however it tended to be at my house with friends generally in the garage or in the home itself, i tend to think and believe that middle class parents control more of their childs drinking by allowing this to take place at the home, as it is a safer option than drinking in parks or a away from the home. Most 16-17 olds drink. so control is needed at home

anthony mape, Handforth, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:28 GMT 23:28 UK

A couple of comments possibly general: Regarding the government and initiatives for young people: The current Integrated Youth Support Services and the Youth Offer is about somehere to go, something to do for all young people. We need to provide more positive media of young people. I once carried out a piece of research about media and youth and when you search for narrative about young people in the Sun for example you can't find anything on "young people" but you can if you search for "YOB"!

Rachel Faulkner, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:28 GMT 23:28 UK

Why should it always be down to the Government to give people things to do. There has never really been anything for youngsters to do, look at the history books. Where are all these creative youngsters we praise... If we continually provide stuff, then we kill self will, initiative and imagination. Truth is, there are loads of things to do in life for little money, they are just not cool enough to get into the press and take a little effort. We live in a quick fix world. Remember YDY...

Gary Peach, Woking, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:27 GMT 23:27 UK

Parents needs to take much of the blame for underage drinking and young drink related deaths. Why dont they know where there kids are at night!!

neil regan, Northampton, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:26 GMT 23:26 UK

How sad an apparently intelligent young woman states that the government should provide something for her and young people "to do" because there is nothing within her area. With the increase of internet and vast volume of information and also social networks and finally local community groups looking for their contributions - they obviously want a real NANNY STATE to feed them! How sad! Billy

Billy, Glasgow, UK, Scotland,

Added: Thursday, 9 July, 2009, 22:23 GMT 23:23 UK

To connect two topics tonight ...... I live opposite a pub which offers cheap booze to students .... who are not only exceedingly noisy but can be seen binge drinking until 2am some evenings ....... destroying their own student budgets and local residents' sleep! It is ridiculous that legislation allows young people to behave in this way .... for their own sakes, as well as ours.

Anne, London, UK, England,