17 May 2004
Lift Drinking Age Urgently Says Mark
New Zealand First is to make yet another attempt to raise the drinking age because of the serious effects of teen
drinking on the whole community.
Law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has campaigned to lift the drinking age back to 20 since it was lowered by “foolish
MPs” in 1999.
“It is no comfort to anyone to say ‘I told you so’ but for the past five years we have seen the mayhem caused by
teenagers on drinking sprees,” said Mr Mark.
“The latest is shown on the roads where drinking and driving is causing carnage among the younger members of our
population.
“The time has come to end this foolish experiment, which has benefited only the booze barons.
“It is time for MPs to show some political courage over this issue and vote to restore the drinking age to 20.
Everything that we warned would happen as a result of lowering the drinking age has happened.
“We would support any urgent legislation to restore the age,” said Mr Mark.
ENDS