17 June 2008
Alcohol rules will inevitably be tightened again
The rising harm caused by alcohol means the pendulum has to swing back against ever more liberal alcohol legislation
sooner or later, Progressive leader Jim Anderton said today.
He is the minister in charge of the government's drug policy, and said alcohol was by far New Zealand's most destructive
drug.
"As long as we have a culture of tolerating alcohol abuse, we are going to have alcohol-related crime, and
alcohol-created harm," Jim Anderton said.
"In recent years, we have made alcohol much more available. It is inevitable that over time the pendulum will swing the
other way because of the harm alcohol is causing.
"Lifting the drinking age, allowing more alcohol advertising, and promoting the sale of liquor in more places for longer
hours all adds up. It's no coincidence that alcohol related harm is also up.
"The biggest problem is the culture that tolerates very heavy drinking and legitimises alcohol abuse. There are a chorus
of bashers shouting down anyone who points out New Zealand's alcohol problem.
"The alcohol abuse industry uses sneering terms like 'fun-police' and 'nanny state' whenever they are held to account.
"The alcohol industry does its bit to promote a culture of poor social attitudes to alcohol. For example, stories about
the guidelines on binge drinking being reduced in Australia to two drinks appear to have been generated by alcohol
industry mischief. They are trying to discredit some sensible advice to government showing that after a couple of
drinks, the health risks of alcohol use start to climb. That just shows how the liquor industry fuels an irresponsible
drinking culture."
Jim Anderton said the ministerial committee on drug policy is currently waiting for a report on the issue of increasing
alcohol content in "alcopops", a growing favourite drink of younger New Zealanders.
"It is entirely possible that it will recommend guidelines that promote reduced use of alcohol. It is also possible we
will recommend a tightening of alcohol rules. That would be my preference as Progressive Party leader as well as
Ministerial Committee chair."
ENDS