The socio cultural environment involves the world around us such as age, gender, race, material culture, social

institutions, religion, human culture aesthetics and language. It can be affected by many changes in:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Birth rates Death rates Marriage age Divorce rate Retirement age Increased concern for health Culturally diverse populations Concern for the natural environment

The socio-Cultural Environment

Minimum pricing: an effective way of reducing alcohol consumption

Due to Irelands drinking culture, a minimum price for alcohol is thought to be the most effective way to reduce heavy drinking among young people. This was discussed at a meeting of the royal college of physicians on September 23rd of this year. This was held as the consumption of alcohol has doubled in Ireland since 1960 as well as a dramatic rise in liver disease. Ireland sees this as a huge issue as the rest of Europe has seen a drop in consumption levels in recent years in contrast to our high rise. Studies have shown that minimum pricing in Canada has been highly effective in reducing alcohol consumption.

Establishing floor price

Minimum pricing would introduce a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold. This is highly being considered in Ireland as British Columbia recorded a 32 per cent reduction in alcohol-related deaths one year after minimum price increases came into effect. Collette Quinn, director of the Gardas juvenile diversion programme believes minimum pricing would be in Irelands best interest as 2 thirds of pedestrians killed on roads and 58% of suicides have been drinking beforehand.

Sources:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/minimum-pricing-aneffective-way-of-reducing-alcohol-consumption-1.1537677