New Zealand Medical Association


NZMA Alcohol Position Statement - Summary (October 2006)

NZMA -

Encourages

  • all medical practitioners to participate in appropriate educational activities, both independently and in association with approved organisations.

Supports:

  • the current National Alcohol Strategy 2000 - 2003.
  • a minimum purchase age.
  • current advertising campaigns aimed at reducing excess alcohol consumption but also sees a need to continue some advertising aimed at the serial drinker.
  • the involvement of medical practitioners at all levels, as well as the involvement of industry and community-based groups, in the early detection and treatment of alcohol-related problems.
  • the current regulatory environment that requires standardised labelling of all alcoholic beverages.
  • vigorous enforcement of drink-driving laws in New Zealand including random breath testing.

Does not support

  • the re-raising of the drinking age from 18 to 20 years.

Recommends

  • a change to the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 so that minors can only drink at a private function if a parent, guardian or supervising adult is present.
  • that the objects of the Sale of Liquor Act be amended by adding the words "consumption" and "promotion" to the wording.
  • further research into alcohol related issues.
  • more education on the effects of alcohol in schools.
  • government taxes to directly reflect the total volume of alcohol in the product.
  • that a component of existing taxation on alcohol be allocated to support research into the health effects of alcohol consumption; the evaluation and establishment of prevention and treatment programmes for alcohol-related problems; and training for community and health care workers in this area.
  • that more resources are put into monitoring and enforcement of the alcohol purchase age.
  • an extension to the powers of the Medical Officer of Health is made so that s/he can lodge an application with the licensing authority for variation, suspension or cancellation of a license on public health grounds.
  • that planning and liquor licensing laws are amended so that licencing authorities are required to have regard to issues affecting health.
  • that the Sale of Liquor Act is strengthened so that all staff involved in sales and service of liquor are required to undergo some form of approved training.
  • that a nationwide review of the process for applying for Manager’s licences is conducted with a view to establishing a framework for approval of Manager’s Certificates that is applied consistently countrywide.
  • more vigorous enforcement of the legal obligations of liquor licence managers.
  • that groups of drinkers vulnerable to alcohol abuse should receive targeted and appropriate consideration in terms of alcohol education and treatment.
  • that assessment and treatment services are better tailored to meet specific needs, including cultural and spiritual needs. This includes a need to recruit more people culturally and professionally qualified to provide services for both Maori and Pacific people needing treatment.
  • that government increase funding to community organisations which have the ability to provide effective care of those with an alcohol addiction.
  • that the current Blood Alcohol Concentration for all drivers over the age of 20 should be reduced from 80mg/per 100mL to 50mg/per 100mL. For those under the age of 20, learners, provisional licensees, public, commercial and dangerous goods drivers, this level should however continue to be 30 mg/per 100mL.
  • that a ban be placed on all alcohol advertising before 10pm at night.
  • that clear and transparent rules are developed setting out parameters as to what alcohol advertisements can contain.
  • that the regulation of all broadcast liquor advertising programmes are placed with the Broadcasting Standards Authority, and that the Advertising Standards Authority’s current jurisdiction for liquor advertising programmes be removed.