Government’s alcohol law reform misses the mark.

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

— Wellington, Monday, 23 August 2010

Government’s alcohol law reform misses the mark.

The Salvation Army says the 27 recommendations of the Law Commission’s report on alcohol reform rejected by the Government means any real reform of New Zealand’s appalling and costly drinking culture is seriously compromised.

The Government’s plans for alcohol law reform will be welcomed by the liquor industry but will fail to significantly protect New Zealanders from the damage caused by alcohol misuse, Salvation Army Social Policy Director Major Campbell Roberts says.

“Without an increase in excise tax, a lowering of the blood alcohol level and more attention to the marketing and advertising of alcohol, the tragic reality is New Zealanders will continue to suffer and die, and the taxpayer will continue to pay the third party health, social and criminal costs for the alcohol industry,” Major Roberts says.

The Salvation Army welcomes moves to provide greater powers for communities over liquor licensing, restricting off-license hours, tightening alcohol promotion of off-licenses and reducing the buying age at off-licenses.

“But these steps are modest and half-hearted. What is needed is the full package of carefully-considered measures recommended by the Law Commission if we are to make any real difference,” Major Roberts says.

The most effective policy to combat alcohol misuse, identified by the World Health Organisation, of raising the price of alcoholic drinks was the first major recommendation by the Law Commission. It is extremely disheartening that the Government has not had the courage to raise the price by increasing tax and make what would have been a significant attack on excessive and dangerous drinking.

It is also disappointing that the Government has failed to wholly address the blood alcohol limit for drivers or stop supermarkets using alcohol as a loss leader or universally restrict advertising and marketing of alcohol, Major Roberts says.

The Government has also missed the point by describing the New Zealand’s problem as a youth issue, he says.

“More than 90 per cent of our problem drinkers are over the age of 20 and there is scant evidence the Government is serious about solving the problems around this older group,” he said.

Major Roberts said a chance to further amend the Bill would occur during the select committee process, but if this did not happen alcohol law reform would likely become a significant election issue.

ENDS