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Source: Reuters -
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A ONE News investigation into a study that claims alcohol is cheaper than water has found that's not always the case.
The report by the University of Otago, based on Department of Statistics figures, found a glass of water costs 67c, while a standard drink of beer costs 64c and a standard drink of cask wine costs 62c.
At the supermarket, the cheapest water ONE News could find came in a three litre container, which cost $2.57.
The cheapest wines in the same quantity on the other hand were priced at $22 and the cheapest beer, in a 12 pack and about five litres in quantity, was $18.40.
Applying the same calculations used in the Otago study, the glass of water cost less at only 21c, while the beer pack cost $1.10 for a glass and the cask of wine cost 71c for a standard drink.
The Otago study author, Associate Professor Nick Wilson, blamed price fluctuations for the difference.
"When you look at some specials, [alcohol] is actually cheaper than bottled water in some cases and at other times it may not be."
Wilson is also sticking to his call for increased taxes to push the price of alcohol up.
He said the low cost of alcohol was contributing to New Zealand's binge-drinking culture and the government was "shooting itself in the foot" when it decided not to raise excise tax on alcohol, as recommended in a recent Law Commission report.
Justice Minister Simon Power told the Dominion Post that while the study's results were concerning, the government believed its alcohol reform package "strikes the right balance".
The government had ruled out an increase in excise taxes but was investigating a minimum pricing regime, Power said.
Independent Liquor welcomes debate
Meanwhile, Independent Liquor said it welcomed the release of the university research paper.
General Manager Julian Davidson, of Independent Liquor's New Zealand operations, called for all alcohol to be regulated in a consistent, common manner.
"This University of Otago paper shows that there is insufficient information available to the community regarding the consumption of alcohol and why evidence based reform is vital."
Davidson said the data comparing the prices of wine, beer and spirits highlighted the fact that cask wine was the cheapest way to purchase alcohol in New Zealand.
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