that the Liquor Licensing Amendment Act 1997 passed after a lengthy debate.

In yesterday's afternoon session of the House Education Minister Jerome Dill introduced the second reading of the Licensing Amendment Act, claiming the act would "rationalise and harmonise the provision of liquor licenses.'' The key amendment will see all youngsters banned from entering licensed premises. They will also be seriously punished if they produce false identification to show that they are older than 18.

License holders will also face a stiff $10,000 fine if they are discovered selling alcohol.

And grocery stores will have to segregate the liquor section of their stores to prevent under age customers from being tempted.

And the Education Minister also called for the banning of miniature spirit bottles.

Mr. Dill said: "One of the principle aspects of this Bill is the area of presenting alcohol for the consumption by our young people.

"There has been in law for some time the offence which deals with the selling of alcohol to young people on licensed premises. Why don't we build on that and say that they should not be allowed on licensed premises? That's what we have done -- to create a specific criminal offence of allowing young people onto licensed premises.

"We have also created an offence of offering up false identification.

"But we have to get parents more involved in the process. Halloween was a very quiet night because we managed to encourage parents to spend the day at school and ride on the bus home and the result was most salutary. That's what one would expect in a civilised country such as this one.'' Describing both alcohol and drugs as "the same pernicious evil'' Mr. Dill stressed that there would be exceptions to the rule, for example when hotels wanted to employ bus boys.

But he concluded by saying: "We are prohibiting young people from entering premises and we recognise parental responsibility.'' Shadow Works, Engineering, Parks and Housing Minister Stanley Morton responded to Mr. Dill by agreeing that drink was a serious problem.

"This country is an alcoholic society, a drunken society,'' he said.

"We have a tradition in Bermuda of encouraging our young to excel at sport by encouraging them to win. But whenever they win a trophy the prize is always a case of Heineken. What's wrong with giving out a case of Mango juice? "This is something that we should take very seriously and I would ask all members of the house to give their honest opinions.'' Despite the crackdown on young drinkers the new law will provide new opportunities for hotels and restaurants.

The new law will allow hotels and restaurants to serve "al fresco'' meals on the streets outside their premises.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell explained to the House that this would give hotels more flexibility and increase their competitiveness. He reminded the house that recent surveys had shown that visitors were concerned with two things on the Island -- the lack of evening entertainment and the state of some restaurants.

"Our competitors have always enjoyed outside dining,'' he said.

"What we are talking about is the ability to move forward. If you look at other parts of the world we are always behind the eight ball.

"Of course there is still a responsibility on the individual and that is not going to change, whether you eat indoors or outdoors.

"We have always been successful in protecting our architecture and aesthetics. If these places should develop in places like Hamilton and St.

George's, appropriate planning regulations are in place. It's not going to turn Bermuda into something tacky.'' Shadow Tourism Minister David Allen said that the debate threw up interesting choices while at the same time helping to crystallise important issues for Bermudians.

Mr. Allen said that it was important to look at the history of alcohol in Bermuda which has made it part of the fabric of the Island's culture.

He pointed out that entire fortunes have been made from the sale of alcohol and that Bermuda, like the rest of the world, has had its problems with alcohol abuse and misuse.

Mr. Allen said that alcohol was a part of the tourists' experience of the Island and that it had benefited the Island economically.

However, Mr. Allen said that Bermuda needed to strike a "delicate balance'' because Bermuda was not a large jurisdiction.

"The consumption of hard liquor in Bermuda is more pronounced than in European districts,'' he said.

And while he did not want to revert to the days of Prohibition, Bermudians and visitors needed to exercise self accountability and self responsibility too.

"This legislation is open to abuse.'' Mr. Allen said. "It has erred to far on the side of flexibility. I am concerned about that.'' Meanwhile, UBP backbencher Kim Young said that she was glad that both sides of the House recognised that alcohol was a drug although society did not consider it a drug.

Mrs. Young said that alcohol caused social and health problems although moderately consumed, it formed a part evening life which she supported.

PLP MP Reginald Burrows said that he was opposed to the sale and use of alcohol on the Island especially when it is sold to underage young persons in nightclubs.

He pointed out that many sports clubs had extensive programmes for young people which are paid for out of alcohol sales.

And he hoped that support was given to these clubs that used these funds in this manner.

Youth Minister Tim Smith said that "by its very nature'' this legislation was a preventative strategy which sent a clear message to young people about responsibility.

His shadow counterpart Nelson Bascome , meanwhile, said that alcohol was a drug and was addictive as nicotine and caffeine were addictive.

He said that Alcoholics Anonymous held a conference recently at the Princess and it was oversubscribed.

And he said that the abuse of alcohol was more prevalent than the abuse of illegal drugs which made alcohol even more dangerous.

Shadow Environment Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams said that alcohol has done much damage to children who see their fathers come home drunk each weekend "in the mood for love.'' And his PLP colleague Stanley Lowe said that his party supported the amendment that disallows the sale of miniatures being sold in supermarkets.

He said he was not happy with liquor being sold in supermarkets but he was happy to see that some establishments had a section set aside for the sale of alcohol.

UBP backbencher Michael Dunkley said that the Liquor License Amendment Act 1997 was a comprehensive bill with many amendments.

He admitted that liquor was a contentious issue because it was legal while drugs were illegal.

However, he warned that everyone needed to be responsible for their actions.

Shadow Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Paula Cox said that it was important to look at the "clarity, coherency and consistency of the principles which underlie the legislation.

She said that young people often made the point that as adults have their "sin of choice'' while young people are denied theirs.

And while there was little merit to such arguments she said that she hoped that this new bill will have the necessary checks and balances.

PLP Warwick West MP Dr. Ewart Brown said that the entire debate caused MPs to engage in "borderline hypocrisy'' which had to be faced.

And he challenged MPs to look at what things constituted a good time in Bermuda and suggested that maybe it was time to develop other ways for tourists to enjoy themselves apart from getting drunk in Bermuda.

Like Mr. Allen, Dr. Brown said that understanding the history of alcohol in Bermuda was important both from the consumption and mercantile aspects.

He said no one could disagree that alcohol has played a vital role in Bermudian society but it was important to focus on why persons turned to alcohol.

Dr. Brown said it was chosen as a means of treating their own depression.

"We need to come up with creative ways to make people feel good.'' he said.