Alcohol Action NZ puts its support behind Hospitality Association alcohol compromise

(Embargoed until 5.30pm, Wednesday 9th March)

Alcohol Action spokesperson Professor Doug Sellman will today urge the Alcohol Select Committee to adopt compromise alcohol proposals put forward by the New Zealand Hospitality Association, which represents the country's pub and bar owners.

“The public is strongly urging the government to tackle New Zealand's heaving drinking culture but the alcohol industry is lobbying to avoid change. The Hospitality Association compromise shows a way forward,” he said.

“I will be urging the Select Committee to back a plan for ending the supply of large volumes of ultra cheap alcohol through supermarkets, which would make a significant difference to the alcohol crisis in New Zealand.”

“Establishing a minimum price for alcohol and reducing the accessibility of alcohol by banning supermarket sales are two of the four most important things the Government can do to be serious about alcohol reform.”

“Allowing supermarket sales was a bad mistake made by an earlier Labour Government. Now is the time for National to recognise the harm it has caused and undo that mistake.”

“Although we have different reasons to HANZ for advocating these two things, it is highly significant at this stage in the process that we are in agreement” said Professor Doug Sellman, Director of the National Addiction Centre and presenting to the Select Committee today.

“The Select Committee now has a clear choice. It can simply go through the motions and not make any substantial proposals back to Parliament on the current Bill, or respond to the multiple voices now calling for some real reform that will begin to break the heavy drinking culture in New Zealand”.

“Despite the rhetoric, the fascinating truth is that low-risk responsible drinkers will hardly be affected by the four measures that would make a real difference – increasing the price, ending supermarket accessibility, ending broadcast advertising and sponsorship, and making it illegal to drive a vehicle when intoxicated”.

“We have been very unimpressed with John Key’s government on this alcohol law reform issue to date. It appears blinded by its commitment to being alcohol big business-friendly at all costs.”

“It is just empty words to expect heavy drinking citizens to become more responsible around alcohol when the alcohol industry is spending more than $200,000 a day marketing and promoting heavy drinking.”

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