The youth wings of the National, Labour, Green and ACT parties joined forces last week, kicking off the Keep It 18 Campaign, aimed at rejecting a change which would see the minimum age for purchasing alcohol raised to 20.
The campaign is in reaction to a recent Law Commission Report entitled ‘Alcohol In Our Lives: Curbing The Harm’. The report contains 153 recommendations aimed at reducing the long- and short-term negative effects of alcohol abuse.
Law Commission President,Sir Geoffrey Palmer says that the “reforms are firmly targeted at reducing the harms associated with heavy drinking and drinking to intoxication”.
Palmer believes that because the scientific understanding of the development of the brain has “advanced considerably” since the drinking age was lowered, “we would be negligent if we disregard this evidence in respect of alcohol legislation”.
“With this knowledge has come a greater understanding of the risks early onset of drinking poses to the adolescent, both in terms of acute harms and the longer-term risks of development.”
Keep It 18 campaign spokesperson Jenna Raeburn says “Parliament has twice voted down the purchase age to be 18, and it is disappointing that the Law Commission is trying to turn the clock back again.”
Raeburn says that while the main focus of the campaign is on the purchase age, “We are also concerned over the proposed nationwide setting of closing times, and mandating a one-way policy for bars after 2am”.
Young National President Daniel Fielding labelled the reforms as “nanny state policies”, and says “a blanket measure of raising the drinking age will not change the drinking culture”.
Young Labour’s spokesperson for the Keep It 18 campaign Nicola Wood agrees.
“If we want to create a culture of responsible drinking, we need policy which better enables young people to make positive decisions about how they use alcohol, while at the same time acknowledging that this broad problem cannot be pinned on one sector of society.”
The New Zealand Institute of Liquor Licensing Inspectors (NZILLI) welcomes the Law Commission’s report.
NZILLI President Murray Clearwater says “The current Sale of Liquor Act 1989 is long overdue for review and it is refreshing to see the Law Commission suggest that a whole new act be written rather than just amending the current one.”
Clearwater says that any new act needs to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities for the agencies charged with regulation and monitoring of the industry.
He also says NZILLI believe minors should only be allowed to consume alcohol under the direct supervision of their parents, and the group supports raising the purchasing age at off-license premises to 20.
Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley slammed Justice Minister Simon Power ruling out a key recommendation which would see a tax increase, raising prices by an average of 10 per cent.
“The ink on the Law Commission’s report is hardly dry, and Mr Power has ruled out one of the key recommendations.”
She also raised questions about whether “the hand of the alcohol industry” had played a part in Power’s decision.
“By ignoring the comprehensive approach and the cry of the doctors and nurses of New Zealand in their public statement… John Key’s government is showing that they are prepared to put vested interests ahead of the health of New Zealanders.”
The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council, who represent Dominion Breweries, Lion Nathan, Pernod Ricard and Constellation, is calling for “commonsense proposals” on possible law changes.
Chief Executive Katherine Rich raised concerns about “the socially conservative” nature of parliament, speculating “if it was put to the vote right now… it would be raised”.