Well, it seems government initiatives like introducing laws on smoking ban except outdoors, raising awareness about ill-effects of smoking, drinking, drugs, pub crawling, etc. have not gone up in smoke.
The world is certainly changing for the better in terms of reducing vices of people if figures revealed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are any indication to go by.
Technology has taken a toll on nightclubs with more young people staying at home listening to Spotify (a music streaming service) or playing video games than downing drinks on the dance floor.
Hundreds of clubs have closed. There are just 1,733 compared with 3,144 in 2005, the ONS said. The demise of clubbing has been attributed to smoking ban, the imposition of student loan and relaxed licensing laws that allow pubs and bars to sell alcohol into the early hours.
According to a report in The Times, the proportion of teetotallers has grown steadily over the past decade with more than a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds now classifying themselves as teetotal. That compares with fewer than one in five in 2005. A third of young people got drunk regularly a decade ago compared with only one in six today. Alcohol-free bars are also contributing to the change.
In 1974 40% smoked, now it’s only 20%. Awareness about looking good and being fit and healthy is also helping in kicking the habit. The rise in the number of role models like footballer David Bekham, who do not smoke, is also encouraging youngsters to stay away from smoking. Smoking is increasingly seen as a habit for losers.
According to the Health & Social Care Information Centre, the proportion of teenagers taking drugs was 29% in 2001, which has reduced to 16% in 2015.
According to Childwise, a market research company, the number of teenagers spending time in front of screen (TV) was 3 hours in 1995, which has risen to 6.5 hours in 2015. Unlike in the past when TV was the only screen available at home, today teenagers have got more choice (games, social media or watching video clips, smart phones, computer, etc).
More youngsters live at home these days – a total of 3.3 million 20 to 34-year-olds live with their parents, up 25% since 1996.
This is a welcome change. Education, legislation, awareness, change in attitude and behaviour of the generation are playing a key role in bringing about this positive change in society. Although it’s a long way to go to eradicate these vices altogether, this small change is certainly having a positive impact on the quality of life. The world is certainly becoming a better place to live in.
