Alcohol Law Reform Bill won't reduce binge drinking

The Alcohol Law Reform Bill will not significantly reduce binge drinking or alcohol harm to young people, says the Hospitality Association. Minor restrictions on supermarkets, removing alcohol from dairies and giving local communities a greater say in where liquor outlets are located will not address the propensity for some New Zealanders to drink to get drunk, said Bruce Robertson, Hospitality Association Chief Executive. Changing the culture requires individuals to take some responsibility and the Association believed that making it an offence to be drunk in public place would go some way towards that.

Restricting those who can supply alcohol to minors will have little impact on minors’ access to alcohol and their attitude to it. A much better approach would have been to say to young people they should not drink until they are 18. The Association still believes that a drinking age, as opposed to a purchase age, would make a much bigger difference to educating and influencing the behaviour of young people when it comes to the consumption of alcohol.

The Select Committee have made some positive changes to allow the industry to meeting public demand for breakfasts before 8am and opening for international events. However the Association remains concerned at the potential cost and red tape resulting from local plans limiting the ability of the hospitality industry to meet the legitimate needs of its customers, concluded Mr Robertson.