Aims to modify New Zealand's drinking culture and reducing the harm caused by excessive drinking will come into effect next week, with more stringent laws on the sale and supply of alcohol.
Next Thursday, the Government's new Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act will see a raft of law changes introduced, including new restrictions on trading hours, increased penalties for the supply of alcohol to minors, and tighter restrictions on alcohol advertising and promotion.
People on the streets of Tauranga spoke to SunLive about whether they think NZ has a binge drinking culture.
In the lead up to the introduction, New Zealand Police are using their annual Operation Unite, between Friday and Sunday, to educate the public on the new act.
According to police, alcohol-related crime is estimated to cost NZ's justice sector more than $716 million per year, while police spend about $200 million on dealing with the misuse of alcohol. At least one-third of all arrests include alcohol as a factor.
SunLive asked people on the streets of Tauranga whether they think NZ has a binge drinking culture, and if so what are some ways to reduce this?
4 comments
Time we grew up
Posted on 15-12-2013 13:26 | By morepork
Growing up as a Kiwi it was always a game to dodge the cops and get home OK. Only when I travelled overseas did I find that not everybody sees it that way. In Germany it is not clever or cool to drink and drive; it is considered anti-social and stupid. There are still "boys/girls night out" but some of the partners collect the group or taxis are used. (Bars close at 6:00 am but it is rare to see drunks on the street and there is little violence.) In Spain, children learn to have wine with meals and to behave properly. French children also grow up with the responsible use of alcohol at an early age. The English don't have this culture and they are the worst in Europe for bad behaviour with alcohol.Getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking is not only stupid, it's lethal.
Accountability
Posted on 15-12-2013 13:33 | By mykgold102
There IS a simple solution. Make people accountable for their actions and make the penalties severe enough that people will think about the consequences. Stop letting people get away with having 5,6,7 drunk driving offences and still being out on the road.
culture
Posted on 15-12-2013 17:37 | By Kathryn
I feel that binge drinking comes from a low self esteem or lack of confidence so they feel that if they get drunk quickly then their confidence is boosted to go out and have a good time. Without alcohol they feel they cant have a good time as they are too inhibited. the countries that Morepork mentioned have a culture that is far more out going but English and Kiwis are much the same.
Just look at pathetic sentences for repeat drink drivers
Posted on 15-12-2013 18:39 | By Phailed1
Maybe, just maybe after 3 repeats offences you might, just might, get . . . wait for it . . . home detention?? These new rules will just penalise and make life tougher for ordinary people who enjoy a drink with dinner or at the beach. Meantime the real repeat drink driving criminals will get dealt with softly softly just like they always have been. Cracking down tough on these people is the answer, not all this new stuff which kind of blames everyone else but the offender.
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