Get real on alcopops, says Maori Party.
Tariana Turia, Health spokesperson
2 May 2008
The Maori Party agrees with Alcohol Healthwatch*, who warn that controls on alcohol simply have not worked and harm is
increasing as a result.
“We are alarmed at the continuing rise in consumption of alcohol products designed to appeal to young people,” said
Tariana Turia, health spokesperson for the Maori Party. “In a society where we have a legal purchase age but not a legal
drinking age, it would seem as if there is nothing stopping our young people drinking,” she said.
"We believe that legislation is urgently required which targets alcopops, as one measure of a campaign to address the
harm of a boozing culture. “The government and the National Party were very bold in banning party pills – now they must
step up to the plate and protect young people from alcohol-related harm. “It is not realistic to rely on industry
self-regulation of alcohol advertising aimed at young people, who are a major source of profit for the manufacturers and
their shareholders. How socially responsible is that? ” she asked.
“We have to get real. If we are concerned about the future for our young people, we must do what we can to reduce early
drinking and harmful drinking” said Mrs Turia.
“Alcoholic milkshakes and alcopops (spirit-based pre-mixed drinks) are both potent and popular, and advertising
blatantly targets young and even underage drinkers”
”Alcohol appears to be readily available, to be highly visible and to be normalised in a permissive environment” said
Mrs Turia.
“We know that Maori youth drinkers may be drinking less regularly than non-Maori drinkers, but when they do drink, they
are drinking more heavily”.
“Banning alcopops or putting heavy taxes on them like several European countries have and Australia is currently
considering, may help to reduce the harm to young people and society as a whole”.
“We will be recommending to the Minister of Health that alcopops become targeted as a key way of changing the drinking
culture our young people are growing up in” ended Mrs Turia.
ENDS