How about a beer with your shave?

KAMLOOPS — While it may be a noble gesture to try to cut red tape and react to the desires of society, sometimes you have to wonder why we do some of the things we do. As of yesterday, under new regulations put in place by the government, all sorts of businesses can apply to serve alcohol along with the services they normally provide. You can get a nice glass of beer or wine while you have your hair cut. Regulations will be more relaxed for serving alcohol at charity events, or you can apply to become a bar instead of a restaurant after certain hours. “Enhanced convenience for customers” is a quote attributed to John Yap, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business.

Some of the changes actually make some sense, I guess. Who wouldn’t want a nice glass of wine while they’re in the spa? Or a cocktail upon check-in at a hotel? But some seem to really be over the top. Perhaps not as over the top as California, where you can have a drink while riding in a hot air balloon, in limos on your way to a party, and at barber shops.

RELATED VIDEO: Not all Kamloops businesses embracing liquor law changes

With all the concern about the dangers of alcohol consumption, it seems ironic to find more excuses to have people consume. 

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I know I’m ultra-conservative in these matters, but these new rules make about as much sense to me as legalizing marijuana use. We seem to feel we’ve lost the drug war, so we’ll make it easier. And the issue of second-hand smoke, a proven health risk, will get even worse with people having to deal with their neighbours puffing away in their back yards. As more U.S. states, and the entire country of Canada moving to legalize pot, it only makes sense to widen the use of alcohol too so more people can drive with alcohol or drugs in their systems.

A recent study suggests that young people who smoke pot only occasionally are structurally altering their brains. Dr. Hans Breiter, a professor at Northwestern University says it’s a very serious issue, considering the changes in even casual pot users. While casual use of pot may not lead to dependence on harder drugs, the study’s authors are saying in no uncertain terms that marijuana use is not harmless. Nor is casual use of alcohol or the use of prescription drugs. So while we consider what value there might be in increasing the availability of alcohol, or marijuana, let us also remember that once you open Pandora’s box, it may be hard to get it closed again. Too many temptations can result in problems we might find difficult to control.

Some of the small business owners cheering the new laws suggest they will create new jobs. Frankly, I find that very difficult to believe. Do we think spas, and barber shops and hotels will hire people simply to offer people a free drink when they come in the premises? Highly doubtful.

And our instant-gratification society moves one step closer to self-destruction.