7 September 2011
Raising Drinking Age Will Save Lives
Family First NZ says that the just-released Child and Youth Mortality Review confirms that NZ needs to raise the
drinking age in order to protect young people and to save lives.
“Alcohol policies and decisions about a legal drinking age should be firmly based on the health and well-being of New
Zealand’s young people. New medical evidence on accident probability, disease and brain development, along with this
latest report, and the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s chief science adviser, makes it absolutely clear that
delaying the age at which teenagers and young people have easy access to alcohol will reduce the level of damage they
and society suffer at the moment as well as contributing to their future health and well-being,” says Bob McCoskrie,
National Director of Family First NZ.
A recent report from the Prime Minister's chief science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman said raising the drinking age to 21
and increasing alcohol prices would be two of the most effective ways to address youth drinking problems.
“We need to send an unambiguous message to young people and society about what is good for young people, and raising
both the drinking and purchase age will make it easier for parents and the community to work together to prevent harm to
our young people. Parents don’t want a split-age proposal as this simply sends a mixed message,” says Mr McCoskrie.
“This latest report provides compelling evidence that the politicians should immediately increase the drinking age to at
least 20 if not 21, not for political reasons, but in the best interests of our young people and society.”
ENDS