Controversial.
Students in Cardiff University are being subjected to random breathalyser tests before entering bars in the Students’ Union on campus in a scheme being run in conjunction with South Wales Police.
According to Wales Online, as part of the scheme, students who are found to be over the drink-drive limit are being refused entry in order to discourage the practise of “preloading,” where students consume large amounts of alcohol before going out.
Random breathalyser tests are being carried out on students entering bars in the university’s Students’ Union, with students free to drink as much alcohol as they wish inside the bars if they pass the test.
The breathalyser device will give students a green, amber or red rating and if a red rating (said to be the equivalent of four pints of lager) is returned, then they will be refused entry.
Though the scheme is being run to discourage pre-loading, there have been questions raised as to whether there is a financial incentive behind it, especially considering there is nothing to prevent students from binge drinking inside the bars themselves.
“I don’t think the scheme will be effective as students are still able to buy as many drinks as they like once inside,” said Lucy Woodham, editor of student newspaper The Tab.
“How drunk they become won’t change – and no measures are in place to ensure that students are leaving the venue safe and less intoxicated than before.
“The union is sure to make money off people having to spend more inside rather than drinking before.
“That’s before you stop to consider that how drunk a person is depends entirely on their weight, height and gender.”
A Students’ Union spokesperson confirmed that students were being breathalysed and claimed that it was to promote and encourage responsible drinking, saying: “We conduct a number of random breathalyser tests on entry to night time events at Y Plas and the Great Hall.
“This has been initiated in conjunction with Cardiff Police Licensing team to challenge issues surrounding intoxication and to look after the health and well being of our student members.
“The breathalyser test forms just one element of the door entry admission assessment process and may not be the sole reason for refusal of entry.
“The Students’ Union is happy to support any campaign that promotes and encourages responsible drinking, as has been seen through involvement with “Know the Score” and the Safety Bus scheme.”
Would measures like this go down well in Ireland? We’d have our doubts.
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