New Zealand Government has announced plans to deal with youth drinking habits and alcohol advertising. Critics however calling it a feeble response to the issue.
The Government, it seems, does not want a major change in the current law and only doing its duty by tweaking here and there in non prevalent sub laws. The government, many believe neither will raise the drinking age nor put a complete ban on direct and indirect alcohol advertising.
The Drug Federation has stated that there is no place for a balancing act. But how severely it would pursue the case is doubtful.
The highlight of the proposal is– drivers under 20 who are not on a full license should have to have a zero limit on blood alcohol. Adults (non parents) supplying alcohol to minors and minor supplying alcohol to minors will be considered as offense.
Alcohol advertising review proposes that a stronger regulation around alcohol advertising will be in place.
The Government-initiated review looked at the regulatory framework for alcohol advertising to determine whether it was sufficiently aligned with the Government’s alcohol policies and harm reduction objectives.
Mr O’Connor said the proposals are based on the recommendations from a steering group including government agencies, health sector and advertising representatives, which consulted widely and released it’s report in May.
Youth drinking plans ‘feeble’
RadioNZ report
