In these trying economic times, its pretty amazing to see this story out of the UK. It seems that the government has seen enough beer related injuries. So they are trying to institute safer pint glasses. Supposedly there are 87,000 glass attacks (glassings) every year causing £2.7 billion of damages. Who knew.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said “Glassing causes horrific injuries and has a lasting and devastating impact on victims and their families. I hope these designs will help bring an end to such attacks.” and “’Tackling crime is not just about police action. Innovation and design also have a huge impact.”
One of the designs has a double wall of glass bonded with a resin layer (think auto windshield). Which results in a heavier pint glass.
I see two things that could happen if these new glasses are mandated. The first is that beer drinkers will build up some serious arm muscles. And the second is that the use of beer glasses as head thumpers (thumpings) will go through the roof.
Instead how about a sticker on the pint glass “In case of fight, do not use”.