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Source: Reuters -
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Drastic changes to New Zealands liquor laws may be in the
pipeline soon.
That's expected to be the result of a review into New Zealanders'
drinking culture being released for public consumption on
Thursday.
The review looks at whether society is being hit too hard by alcohol consumption.
"Liquor is no ordinary product. It's a commodity that can do great harm," says Sir Geoffrey Palmer of the Law Commission.
It's the first report of it's kind in 20 years and since then a lot has changed.
Liberalisation of availability of alcohol, places are open longer, we've reduced the age with which young people can buy it, from 20 to 18, says Gerard Vaughan of the Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council.
He also says a lot of new products are on the market, particularly spirit-based products and ready to drink drinks, and there has been an increase in the number of liquor outlets.
It looks at what all our current laws are, things like availability, price, opening hours, licenses.
The report was commissioned after Manurewa liquor store owner Navtej Singh was fatally shot in his shop last year.
One of the things we've done in this inquiry with the police all around New Zealand on 17 different occasions is to see what happens in the night-time culture of New Zealand, says Palmer.
The Law Commission has already signalled they'd like to see the price of alcohol go up, raise the age we're able to buy alcohol and lower the blood alcohol limit for driving.
Some say stopping 18 and 19-year-olds drinking will cost businesses customers and ultimately money.
"They are responsible defending our country, being policemen, getting married and doing a whole raft of other adult activities. It's ludicrous to suggest that they shouldn't be able to buy a drink," says Bruce Robertson of the Hospitality Association.
They say it's those getting drunk who are spoiling it for everyone else.
The Law Commission has created an online consultation website to generate public discussion on the issues. Check out www.talklaw.co.nz .
Do we need to change the law to make it more difficult to buy alcohol or are the actions of a minority spoiling things for the majority? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentBoozeviews said on 2009-08-03 @ 11:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
Have your say! Tell us what you think about the Law Commissions ideas for reform to New Zealands Liquor Laws! Discuss issues in forum discussions at http://www.talklaw.co.nz/liquor or send us an online submission.
tigertamer said on 2009-07-31 @ 21:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
The most stupid law to be considered. If we are going to supply people from liquor outlets at age 20 then it should be the same age restrictions at bars etc. as far as the comment from d.j. he or she needs to realise that whatever the price people will abuse the system - get a life!
Student18 said on 2009-07-31 @ 14:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
It wont help at all. There are already underage people getting ahold of alcohol there will just be an uprise in that. when you think about it there are 15 16 17 year olds getting it from shops or other people. you can add 18 19 on to that if you do change it. I seldom drink or go clubbing but i do know what goes on. And what is the point in the splitting of ages? if 18 year olds can get it from clubs why not let them have it at the shops?
d.j said on 2009-07-30 @ 21:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
One of solutions is to increase tax so that government will get more income and put the money to public health system.
simonrose81 said on 2009-07-30 @ 19:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
How will lowering the drinking limit helping lessen the drinking culture? Those who are going to drink will be over the limit that is present, those who wish not to offend will not drink at drive at all. It is important that the government aims to reduce the amount of drink consumed by an individual. This could be done through a limit to the amount an individual can buy in public.