Under Age Drinking Under Review

Under Age Drinking Under Review

Justice Minister Mark Burton and Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor today released the terms of reference for the Government's review of the sale and supply of liquor to under-18-year-olds.

The review's goals are to determine the harm caused by the sale and supply of liquor to minors, evaluate the effectiveness of current restrictions and develop proposals that might be necessary to address the causes of harm.

The project will also include a review of the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 relating to the sale and supply to minors.

"The impact of underage drinking is significant for our communities and young people. This is why it's critical that we have a complete and factual picture of how under-18-year-olds are getting alcohol and accompanying trends," Mark Burton said.

"The scope of the review will mean that the underlying causes of harm to youth arising from drinking are fully canvassed; and that detailed proposals are developed to address the problems," Damien O'Connor said.

"The review will comprise two phases," Damien O'Connor said. "The first phase will consist of research and analysis. Phase two will set out options and recommendations for reform for Cabinet to consider. Cabinet will finalise the timeline so that the matter is progressed this year."

"The debate that took place in November around Government MP Martin Gallagher's Bill concerning underage drinking highlighted a need for a focused review looking specifically at the effectiveness of current restrictions applying to under 18 year-olds," Mark Burton said.

Terms of Reference for the Review of the Sale and Supply of Liquor to Minors

18 February 2007

Purpose

1. Set out are the Terms of Reference for the Review of the Sale and Supply of Liquor to Minors ("the Review").

Background

2. On 8 November 2006, Justice Minister Hon Mark Burton and Associate Health Minister Hon Damien O'Connor announced the Government's intention to review the effectiveness of current restrictions on the sale and supply of liquor to young people under the age of 18.

Goals of the Review

3 The goals of the review are to:

Determine the harms arising from the sale and supply of liquor to minors;
Evaluate the effectiveness of current restrictions on sale and supply to minors; and
Develop policy proposals, as necessary, that address the causes of harms arising from sale and supply to minors.

Project Scope

4. The project will review the sale and supply of liquor to persons under the age of 18. This shall include a review of provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 relating to sale and supply to minors, including proposals for reform to address the causes of harm to minors. These proposals may include, but are not restricted to:

o Tighter controls on sale and supply of liquor, both from licensed premises and from family, friends and others; and
o Increased enforcement options to address breaches of the Act by minors and by persons who sell or supply liquor.

5. The Review will also look at wider policy options to address the harms arising from the sale and supply of liquor to minors. These proposals may include, but are not restricted to:

o Adoption of recommendations from the Government Review of Alcohol Advertising;
o Improved education and awareness;
o Improved enforcement of the Sale of Liquor Act;
o Identification of community and international initiatives which have, or are considered likely to, address the causes of harm arising from the sale and supply of alcohol to minors;
o Other initiatives that are identified during the review.

6. This Review will be incorporated into the existing Targeted Review of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 undertaken by the Ministry of Justice.

Project Structure

7. The project will have two phases. Phase 1 will consist of research and analysis and will involve:

o Stating the objectives of the review;
o Problem identification;
o Literature review;
o Identification and evaluation of current restrictions on the sale and supply of liquor and initiatives to reduce harm to minors; and
o Identification and evaluation of national and international initiatives relating to the sale and supply of liquor to minors.

8. Based on the results from Phase 1, Phase 2 of the Project will set out options and recommendations for reform and will involve:

o A summary of results of phase 1;
o An assessment of the effectiveness of current restrictions / initiatives to address harm;
o Development of options for reform;
o Analysis of options; and
o Final recommendations to Ministers, setting out proposals for reform.

9. Cabinet is to finalise the timeline so that the matter is progressed this year.

Project Governance

10. A Steering Group will be formed from representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC), and the Police. The Steering Group will be chaired by the Ministry of Justice and will report to the Minister of Justice and the Associate Minister of Health.

Consultation and Participation

11. A distinction will be made between:

seeking the views of the interested parties; and
directly involving interested parties in various projects or elements of them.

12. The Steering Group will consider, as appropriate, the need for consultation. The Steering Group will ensure that it is clear to those being consulted that the Group is seeking views on:
the definition of an issue to be addressed;
the desirability of options;
the feasibility of options;
any proposed implementation strategy.

13. With respect to direct involvement, the Steering Group will consider as appropriate the need for individuals to be invited to:

provide written work on any topic;
provide comment on draft documents;
participate in focus groups;
be involved in any governance group, working party, or advisory group; and
be engaged on any element of the project.

Project Budget

14. Project resourcing is to be met from within the existing budgets of those agencies represented on the Steering Group.

Ends