Alcohol and Teens
17 October 2007

The topic of youth and alcohol is again being highlighted in parliamentary and public circles.

While few will argue with latest government proposals regarding stricter enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age, (especially with regard to the supply of liquor to minors) United Future particularly welcomes the increased emphasis on parental responsibility.

One of the urban myths that have been dispelled is that liquor outlets and supermarkets are the main source of supply for underage drinkers, and that therefore stricter regulation of these outlets would resolve the issue.

However, research since the 1970s has consistently shown that the major source of supply is their parents, and the latest government review’s finding that parents account for 60% of the supply to young people comes as no surprise.

As a United Future team, we are giving cautious approval to the proposed new rules regarding the regulation of liquor advertising. We tend to support industry self-regulation in these matters, rather than heavy- handed government control.

Peter Dunne made a statement on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 saying “The proposal to retain the Advertising Standards Authority as the primary regulatory agency is good, and I have no real issue with the notion of enforced self-regulation that is now being introduced."

“However, I am wary of the additional enforcement powers – which have yet to be spelled out – being proposed for the Director-General of Health, and do not want to see these become the thin end of the wedge for direct government control of advertising.”