Dr Paul Hutchison National Associate Health Spokesman

11 August 2004

Banning alcohol advertising won't solve problem

National's Associate Health spokesman Dr Paul Hutchison says banning alcohol advertising will not solve the problem of youth binge drinking.

Today, the Health Select Committee was presented with a petition on banning alcohol advertising. The Group Against Liquor Advertising (GALA) is advocating a Health Select Committee inquiry and urging ' the cessation of alcohol advertising on all New Zealand controlled media and a phasing-out of alcohol sponsorship'.

Dr Hutchison says there are complex social factors at work that influence teenage drinking choices."

Stories of parent-supervised school parties involving alcohol, and easy access to alcohol by teenagers despite the law, demonstrate just part of the increasing problem in New Zealand. "

Educating New Zealanders, not just young people, about moderation is crucial."

Dr Hutchison says teenage alcohol abuse in New Zealand is serious and a comprehensive evidenced-based strategy to curb it is urgently needed. There have been six reviews on liquor advertising since 1991 - one every 26 months.

ENDS

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