As MPs continue to dither on the alcohol purchasing age Conservative Party Leader Colin Craig says clear decisive action is needed.

“We have invested more than enough time and money to understand what common sense is already telling us. Alcohol, and particularly the easy access that young people have to it, is costing us lives and money. The purchasing age needs to be raised.”

“The Law Commission’s 2010 report and recommendation to raise the purchasing age is the absolute right place to start. There are also across the board calls from the health sector supporting that recommendation.”

"Teenage binge drinking is causing a huge amount of harm in New Zealand, and the priority when making this decision must be the well-being of our young people, and society at large, who are currently paying the cost resulting from inadequate restrictions.”

“Lowering the drinking age in 1999 was a mistake. It made alcohol more accessible to an ever younger and more vulnerable section of the community, and it’s time that mistake was rectified.”

In response to the proposal of a split purchasing age, Colin Craig says, “Different ages in different places is confusing, and sends mixed messages. Complicating the rules is unhelpful.”

“The Conservative Party campaigned on raising the purchasing age of alcohol, as well as ensuring the price of alcohol reflects its true cost to society.”

“New Zealanders are tired of subsidising a binge drinking minority. It’s time we put that right.”

ENDS

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