By Charlotte Shipman
Anyone over the age of 18 will still be able to enjoy a beer in the sunshine, but critics of last night's conscience vote on the drinking age say our MPs got it wrong.
“It's very, very disappointing,” says Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams. “We are aware about 78 percent of New Zealanders wanted it back to 20.”
That figure comes from the Law Commission's report into alcohol in New Zealand.
Professor Jennie Connor, head of preventive medicine at the University Of Otago, agrees MPs weren't listening when they voted.
“It wasn't what the majority of people wanted so it's unfortunate,” she says.
Connor maintains an increase in the purchase age could reduce the damage alcohol causes.
“People say there is a benefit to having a lower purchase age, but I don't buy that.”
But Labour MP Grant Robertson does. He voted to keep the status quo.
“Changing the age won't make the difference of curbing alcohol abuse - alcohol abuse happens at all ages,” he says.
The decision's been welcomed by those it would have affected.
But Prime Minister John sees the potential harm – he favoured the split age option, which would have meant 18-year-olds could drink at licensed premises but only those older than 20 could buy alcohol at off-licence venues.
“Yeah I am a little bit disappointed, I think it might have made sense,” says Mr Key. “It wasn't perfect but it was better than leaving it all at 18.”
So even though there'll be no change to the purchase age, what many in the debate agree on is the need for change to the accessibility, advertising and price of alcohol.
3 News
source: newshub archive
