One would think that Singaporeans turn into these uncontrollable alcoholics every night, running down the streets behaving like wild monkeys and acting as public nuisances to everyone in sight.

While excessive drinking is a vice, the implications and consequences of such a ban are way too disproportionate to the actual situation. If an island-wide ban is considered an appropriate solution to address noise pollution and mild public nuisance arising from drinking, then we are subconsciously granting the Parliament a dangerously high degree of control over our private lives, all in the name of public's interest.

It is not a particularly relevant ban for people who do not drink or have a habit of drinking, but the fact that you'd have to apply for a PERMIT to drink at barbecue pits and void decks is simply an inhibition of an individual's liberty that is uncalled for. If executed strictly, it restricts peoples' freedom to choose and forces us to behave in a certain way, which can lead to serious consequences.

In view of the 25% increase in tax on alcohol, is this really necessary?