Who should pay for all the harm from alcohol? – Alcohol Action NZ

The question of who should pay for all the harm from alcohol is the theme of a one-day conference being hosted by Alcohol Action NZ in partnership with SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University, at Te Papa, tomorrow Wednesday, 15th August.

Eight keynote speakers will explore the range of alcohol-related harms impacting on New Zealand and then by highlighting the impact that alcohol is having on the economy consider who is paying this cost and whether that is fair.

“Alcohol is inflicting an enormous harm on New Zealand but it has become so much part of the way of life in New Zealand that it isn’t being recognized as the crisis it should be,” said Dr Geoffrey Robinson, Chair of Alcohol Action NZ, one of the two hosting organisations for the conference.

“The range of harms is broad, and everyone is affected. Harm to individuals and their families is common, but we need to also consider strain on our hospitals and police force, the need for more prisons, and a large economic impact on our country,” said Professor Jennie Connor, one of the keynote speakers and a medical spokesperson for Alcohol Action NZ.

“Governments all around the world are struggling to cope with a global alcohol industry which has enormous power and wealth to establish and maintain heavy drinking cultures in a majority of countries and growing,” said Professor Sally Casswell, Co-director of SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University, the other hosting organisation for the conference.

“Much of the cost associated with alcohol consumption falls on the taxpayers in our societies, and restricts our ability to fund other public functions, while the alcohol industry pays very little towards those costs.”