Drug Foundation scores government liquor review

The government’s alcohol law reform package takes steps in the right direction, but overlooks a number of key reforms which could help bring real change to New Zealand’s binge drinking culture, said the Drug Foundation in an assessment of the proposals announced today.

The Drug Foundation calculated that the Government accepted over half of the Law Commission’s 153 recommendations, but rejected almost 1 in 5; showing the Government ignored the commission’s advice to treat its review as a complete and mutually reinforcing package.

“Communities saturated with liquor outlets will be very happy today with proposals to reform the liquor licensing system, especially the ability for communities to develop local alcohol plans that suit their needs.  We stand with those communities to congratulate the government for listening to the many people who have been on the streets marching for change,” said Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation also welcomed the government proposals to clarify and tighten the law over who can supply alcohol to minors.

“The current law over social or secondary supply is confusing and hard to enforce.  The proposed changes will give parents some real certainty about who can give their kids alcohol.  Most people would agree that minors should only be supplied alcohol by their parents or guardian, and that if parents choose to supply alcohol then they must do so responsibly and supervise any consumption,” said Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation expressed its deep disappointment that two vital areas of reform have been ignored: the proliferation of cheap booze, and the intense marketing, advertising and promotion of liquor.

“The Law Commission’s work showed that both young drinkers and heavy drinkers tend to favour cheap alcohol, so reducing the availability of cheap liquor, especially heavily discounted alcohol in supermarkets, would have been particularly effective in reducing harm in these high-risk groups,” said Ross Bell.

The Law Commission also cited research that showed that alcohol advertising leads to the early onset of drinking and heavier drinking by young people who already drink, and concluded ‘there is a strong argument that a self-regulatory body for alcohol advertising is inappropriate’.

“Placing external controls over the industry’s ability to advertise should have been high on the policy agenda, especially given that the government cites youth as their primary focus in these reforms,” said Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation congratulated the Government on its intention to end the hypocritical exemption for Parliament from liquor control rules, but said the same should be done for Police, Fire Service and Defence Force canteens.

Public support for proposals*

* Based on public submissions to Law Commission review