Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Prohibition no solution” (January 7). Generally, there are three arguments against liquor prohibition. First, people are to be blamed for social evils, not the commodity. Second, imposing a ban on liquor is against liberty. Third, the Government loses a good sum of tax revenue.
However, these arguments do not hold water. First, ‘culprits-people-not-commodities’ theory can help a drug mafia to get away with this logic. Moreover, this logic can also bring restrictions on the sale of acid into question.
The ‘liberty’ argument cannot stand either as liquor makes its addicts forget that someone’s tip of the nose is the limitation of their freedom. Without this fundamental knowledge, liberty is lost in a jungle raj where it is restricted only for the fittest brutes.
Finally, Government expenditure to deal with alcohol-infused crimes, accidents and health issues far outweighs the excise on liquor duties.