Barbara Stewart MP
Spokesperson for Health
23 August 2012
Government in the Pocket of the Booze Industry
New Zealand First says the Government is being totally irresponsible in allowing the booze industry to self-regulate
Ready-to-Drink beverages (RTDs) despite the Law Commission recommending tough restrictions.
Health spokesperson Barbara Stewart says sweetened alcoholic drinks (RTDs) are aimed directly at young people as a first
step into the world of drinking.
“We have seen plenty of images in the media of young people unable to stand, vomiting and urinating on streets because
of the effects of RTDs.
“The Government is obviously in the pocket of the booze industry which exerted enormous pressure on them to do nothing
to tackle our out of control drinking culture which is a burden on our health system.
“It is an absolute disgrace,” says Mrs Stewart.
ENDS