I think there's 2 arguments here. One is, as you pointed out, binge drinking is bad for you. I think most people would agree. The second argument, primarily in

I think there's 2 arguments here. One is, as you pointed out, binge drinking is bad for you. I think most people would agree. The second argument, primarily in the second half of the article, is that creating the conditions to easily permit binge drinking is just a severe a problem. >> It’s possible to consume alcohol in a safe manner... But at some margin, you are contributing to the idea that it’s normal to drink it. And we need to break down that norm. In other words, every drink you order in public has a >1 R0 to make one of your buddies also order a drink. Conversely, every drink you don't get has <1 R0. I'm sure we've all been in those situations at a bar where we say "I'll get (another) one if you get (another) one". That's why he vouches for abstinence. Not for health, but to discourage a binge drinking culture that's quite pervasive, in the UK especially.