Alcohol abuse is a big problem in this country and if the worst fears of many are proved accurate will be an even bigger one now that extended opening hours have arrived.

With drink available over the bar for longer, and in some pubs and off-licences virtually round the clock, it is even more important that our young people are protected from the temptation of embarking at an early age on a drinking career which might ultimately damage their health, swallow up their money and get them into big trouble.

Young people should not be introduced to alcohol until they are old enough to understand the dangers of it as well as the pleasures. That is why the law doesn't allow drink to be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

Unfortunately too many shops and pubs put profit before their responsibility to the younger generation and society in general. By selling drink to people who are under-age they help to fuel alcohol-related unruly behaviour and could even put youngsters on what used to be called "the road to ruin".

So the 600 "sting" operations planned by trading standards and the police in Yorkshire and Humberside as part of a nationwide clampdown has to be welcomed. If some of those pubs and off-licences which flout the law are held up as examples and fined heavily or have their licences suspended or even revoked, the others might get the message that encouraging under-age drinking will not be tolerated.