Lillian says:- They are going to get notes from their parents/caregivers yeah rite! What about a numbered band that they get when they turn 18 and have to show it before they can drink….that might work…..doubt it though, there is still going to be a lot of drunks about no matter what the new laws say……I have spoken
Sweeping changes are on the cards for the New Zealand’s liquor laws.
Justice Minister Simon Power has released the Government’s reform package, which he says adopts most of the Law Commission’s legislative recommendations.
In the mix is restricting alcohol content in RTDs to five percent and making it an offence for anyone other than a parent or a guardian to supply alcohol to a minor.
Also proposed is to give communities more power over the distribution and operation of liquor outlets and increasing penalties for those that breach their license.
The day of the 24 hour liquor licence is set to become a thing of the past. Under the proposed law change, national default maximum hours would be set, 7am to 11pm for off-licences and 8am to 4am for bars, clubs, and special licences.
The only way operators will be able to avoid the new regime if is a local council decides to set its own local alcohol plan that permits different trading hours.
The Government adopted 126 out of the Law Commission’s 153 recommendations. Rejected are proposals to increase the purchase age to 20. Instead it will be split, with 18-year-olds able to enter bars but not able to purchase from off-licences until they turn 20.
Other rejected ideas were a requirement on supermarkets to only display alcohol at one point in the store, an increase in the excise tax, an increase in the fine for breaching a liquor ban and giving bar staff the power to confiscate false proof of age documents.
There is to be a crackdown on the way alcohol is promoted, advertised, and marketed. Under the proposed changes it’ll become an offence to promote alcohol in a way that appeals to people under the purchase age. This will cover any promotion including TV advertising and billboards.
The Government is also planning to strengthen the offence of promoting excessive drinking making it apply to any business selling or promoting alcohol. It would mean promotions involving free alcohol would not be permitted.
