Time To Get Tough On Underage Drinkers
“The government needs to get serious about curbing dangerous underage drinking and return the drinking age to 20,” said
New Zealand First youth affairs spokesperson Craig McNair.
“On Friday night a 17-year-old Aucklander was stabbed with a kitchen knife at a party where alcohol was consumed by
underage youths,” said Mr McNair.
“It is not rocket science. Lowering the drinking age to 18 has allowed for younger and younger New Zealanders to gain
easier access to alcohol.
“An overnight tax on light spirits, supposedly to combat teenage binge drinking, is proof of the Government getting it
wrong again.
“It is time for the Government to admit that they were wrong when it lowered the drinking age to 18.
“New Zealand First has a member’s bill in the ballot to increase the drinking age back to 20. If the Government is
serious about putting a cork in underage drinking they must support this bill,” said Mr McNair.