MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: 4.3.09

CDHB Thankful for Target Exposé on Liquor Sales

Canterbury District Health Board has welcomed last night’s TV3 Target programme as it publicised some of the problems which result from granting liquor licences to convenience stores.

In the past, these kinds of retail outlets have been granted liquor licences on the basis that a) they are grocery stores and b) they have responsible staff trained to a level appropriate for the sale of alcohol. Christchurch Police, Canterbury District Health Board and Christchurch City Council’s Sale of Liquor Inspectors have long maintained that most convenience stores fall short of either or both conditions.

Canterbury District Health Board welcomes recent decisions by the Liquor Licensing Authority to refuse licences to some convenience stores and strongly supports the move to restrict licences to convenience stores in the Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill.

Central city grocery/convenience stores and dairies are inappropriate outlets for the sale of alcohol because:

1. They regularly use itinerant or temporary staff, who do not understand the responsible sale of alcohol and sell to minors or intoxicated people. 2. Some convenience stores fall short of the definition of a grocery store and make a large proportion of their profit from cigarette and alcohol sales. 3. Many central city retail outlets lie within alcohol-free zones, as defined by local bylaws. Granting off licenses to such places goes against City Council attempts to reduce harmful binge drinking in their districts.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Alistair Humphrey said, “While the Target programme may have been shocking for many, it has come as no surprise to our alcohol team at Canterbury DHB, who have identified similar problems in their Controlled Purchase Operations with Christchurch Police and the City Council’s Liquor Licensing inspectors.”

“Our pubs and clubs, by and large, are responsible hosts, just as the specialised bottle shops are responsible retailers. That so many of the central city outlets sell to children who are so young demonstrates how difficult it is for these businesses to stay within the law. A move towards restricting off licenses in the central city will protect our children, protect our city communities and, indeed, protect the convenience store businesses themselves from the further prosecutions they will undoubtedly face.”

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