More than economics to alcohol sales

Re: Private Vs. Public Liquor, letter to the editor, Oct. 12, and others.

A series of articles and editorials published lately in the National Post have viewed the sale of alcohol products only from the economic perspective. I continue to be disappointed that the non-economic virtues of alcohol monopolies have not been highlighted.

The World Health Organization recommends that countries maintain alcohol monopolies, because they decrease the incidence of alcohol-related problems, such as service to minors and intoxicated patrons. Alcohol is no ordinary commodity; its sale cannot be viewed as equivalent to that of soft drinks. It is the leading cause of impaired driving and plays a significant negative role in assaults, date rapes and suicides.

Alcohol monopolies play a significant positive role in protecting our communities, a factor that should be acknowledged in the debate on the merits of these monopolies.