Online poll widens open bar debate

Almost half of the respondents to an online poll by The Times think that open bar parties should not be allowed.

Just under 30 per cent believe restrictions should apply while 23.73 per cent feel they should go ahead.

One respondent said open bar parties are a "recipe for disaster", adding that the aim should be to try and reduce alcohol consumption among young people and not entice them to drink more than they should.

Some pointed out that open bar parties were encouraging binge drinking among young people.

"It is indeed sad to see young people, in their late teens and very early 20s, drinking themselves silly," one said, adding that open bar parties are manifestly intended to make people drink as much as possible.

"It is about time the police stop issuing licenses and permits for this kind of entertainment where all sort of bad things happen," another respondent said.

A number of respondents referred to the New Year's Day tragic accident, when 19-year-old Jeanette Mifsud lost her life after falling off the bastions in Valletta. One wondered why politics should be brought in.

Many questioned whether drinks at open bar parties were tampered with and one suggested that such a situation could be solved if the alcoholic beverages are all served in one-tot bottles, which are opened by the customer.

On the other hand, there were respondents who pointed out that open bar parties were just the same as wedding receptions.

"If open bar parties are stopped, then weddings, balls and other functions must be stopped as well. If one is not capable of controlling oneself, then one should stay at home."

"The solution is not prohibiting, but educating," one respondent said.

A number of respondents pointed out that open bar parties should be allowed, but regulations and standards should apply.

"The Malta Standards Authority should be involved in controlling alcohol limits in both open and closed bottles at the parties. The ice and mixers should also be checked," a respondent said.