Tighter rein urged on liquor promotions

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 7

Tighter rein urged on liquor promotions

PA Wellington A submission to the working party on liquor laws has proposed tighter controls on alcohol promotion. Among of the Alcohol Research Unit’s recommendations were: • There be no alcohol advertising in the broadcast media, cinemas, or on videotape. • There be no alcohol advertising using a “lifestyle” approach, and other advertising be restricted in size. • There be no advertising of sales promotion activities such as competitions and contests. • No alcohol be used as give-aways in promotions. ® No advertising space be made available for alcohol promotion by Government departments, corporations and agencies. An A.R.U. survey last year in six provincial cities showed there was “substantial support” for alcohol control policies. The survey found 80 per cent opposition to alcohol sales in supermarkets and shops, 94 per cent opposition to lowering age limits, and 68 per cent support for Government measures to ensure alcohol did not become more affordable;. On price, the A.R.U. recommended that the real price of alcohol remain relative to dis P° s ‘ able income And that i '

taxes (such as the taxdeductibility of alcohol as a business expense) be reviewed “in the light of the public health objective”. A.R.U. figures showed the real price of beer had dropped since 1979, in line with a drop in consumption, that wine price had risen steadily since the early 19705, and that spirits were gradually rising in price after plummeting from 1960 to 1977. The average household spent $11.44 on alcohol each week. The proportion of money spent bnalcohol increased as family incomes grew, the submission said. It suggested an alcohol tax policy be introduced within the goods and services tax “with the prime

objective of reducing alcohol-related problems and costs”. The policy would call for selective taxes to influence the price of absolute alcohol in each drink. “If reviewed and updated regularly and correctly, such a policy should have long-term public health benefits,” the submission said. It advocated retaining of provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act to control drinking on licensed premises and urged that fines be substantially increased for breaches. ' The working party is expected to make its recommendations to the Government in August. The chairman is the former Chief Ombudsman, Sir George Laking.