Headline: Govt response to alcohol report simplistic
The Government’s response to a Ministry of Justice report on minimum alcohol pricing is simplistic and turns its back on those who are most susceptible to alcohol marketing promoting greater consumption, Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little says.
“The Ministry’s report actually said there are net benefits with minimum pricing for alcohol whether it’s done by regulating a minimum price or increasing excise duties.
“There is no question increasing the price and preventing discounting and loss leading reduces consumption.
“Doing this in a targeted way aimed at products intended for young people, such as RTDs, and outlets that just want to move stock quickly, it would be possible to reduce consumption in those parts of the market where the risk of damage is greatest.
“The Minister’s idea that we just wait to see if local alcohol policies set by district councils will work is nuts. Those policies decide where alcohol is sold and cannot possibly deal with the issue of excess consumption and the health and social problems that result.
“Labour in government will take another look at the Ministry’s report along with the Law Commission’s report on alcohol and develop a policy to deal with the problem areas rather than just hoping it will all come right eventually,” says Andrew Little
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