England has emerged atop a concerning global chart in child alcohol consumption, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), prompting alarm among health

experts and stakeholders. The study indicates that a significant proportion of English adolescents, with a third of 11-year-olds and over half of 13-year-olds, have already experimented with alcohol, surpassing rates observed in 44 other countries under examination.

Notably, the report highlights a gender disparity, with girls exhibiting a higher likelihood of consuming alcohol and experiencing intoxication by the age of 15 in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro justifies the fee as a means to enhance the city's livability. However, Matteo Secchi, representing the residents' activist group Venessia.com, voiced widespread opposition, denouncing the measure as an imposition and likening Venice to a commercialized theme park.

Federica Toninello, from the housing association ASC, highlighted deeper-rooted issues such as the housing crisis and the impact of short-term rentals like Airbnb, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies to support residents.

Despite varying opinions, Tommaso Sichero, president of the association for Venice shop owners, emphasized the fee's role in gathering essential data and managing tourist flows to protect Venice's delicate ecosystem.

Simone Venturini, Venice's tourism councillor, acknowledged the significance of the city's first steps towards addressing mass tourism, signaling a shift towards more sustainable tourism practices. Photo by Kotivalo, Wikimedia commons.