An archive of recent news articles on the topic of alcohol and drugs.
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Big Tobacco's brazen denials and dirty tricks
7th September 2011
Ever since the link between smoking and lung cancer was established more than 50 years ago, the tobacco industry has displayed extraordinary tenacity when it comes to denying the scientific evidence showing that smoking kills. In 1952, British scientist Richard Doll, working with his mentor Professor Bradford Hill, compiled a seminal study published in the British Medical Journal that established a "real association between carcinoma of the lung and smoking". Over the next few years and decades, the evidence became stronger, but just as soon as this evidence began to emerge, Big Tobacco quickly launched a damage-limitation exercise.
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Public split on cheap alcohol stuns expert
6th September 2011
The public are almost evenly split on whether supermarkets should be able to offer wine at rock-bottom prices by selling at below cost, the latest Herald DigiPoll survey shows. The result has surprised public health expert Doug Sellman, who expected consumers to be more selfish when it came to cheap booze. The poll comes a week after progress on the Alcohol Reform Bill, which is the platform for government reform on alcohol and a response to a comprehensive Law Commission report on alcohol-related harm.
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Pharmacists welcome drug law changes
6th September 2011
A law change making the methamphetamine pre-cursor ingredient pseudoephedrine more difficult to access can't come soon enough for pharmacist Warren Flaunty. Pseudoephedrine, a drug commonly found in cold, flu and hayfever medication, will be reclassified from a class C to B2 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act (No 2) 2011 on Thursday. Pharmacies will no longer stock bulk supplies of the drug and people will only be able to buy pseudoephedrine-based products using a prescription from their doctors.
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Lawmakers ignore public opinion on booze
1st September 2011
Politicians are never the brightest bulbs in the national string. If they were, they'd be in private business making a great deal more money than they do in Parliament. There are the odd exceptions - those who have made their fortunes and seek, as the next step, the pursuit of political power. But all politicians seem to live in a little world of their own, blinded by self-interest, in which the horizon of the next election is the only one they can see. Thus it is not even mildly surprising, particularly in an election year, that the Key Government has chosen futile tinkering rather than radical reform when it comes to our liquor laws.
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Raids on drug dealing hubs result in dozens of arrests
1st September 2011
Raids on "tinnie" houses in South Auckland have resulted in dozens of arrests and the seizure of cannabis, P and cash. Officers from Counties Manukau police have executed 36 warrants at tinnie houses over the last two weeks as part of a crackdown on drugs and gangs. Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said 37 people had been arrested and were appearing in court on charges including manufacturing P, possession of P for supply, possession of cannabis for supply, cultivating cannabis and unlawful possession of a firearm.
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Liquor law changes won't work - Hospitality Association
31st August 2011
The Government's Alcohol Reform Bill won't do anything to significantly reduce binge drinking or harm to young people, the Hospitality Association says. The bill is now in its final form after being reported back yesterday by Parliament's justice select committee, and is ready for its second reading. Lobby groups and the Greens are berating the committee for not strengthening it, and today the Hospitality Association's chief executive, Bruce Robertson, also criticised the legislation.
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RTDs linked to crime, crashes
31st August 2011
Banning the sale of high strength pre-mixed alcohol products will help reduce the overall harm liquor causes, the head of the New Zealand Institute of Liquor Licensing Inspectors says. The recommendation was one of many adopted by the Government as it considers changes to the sale and supply of alcohol. Police have told the Taranaki Daily News that high strength RTD (ready-to-drink) products are a common denominator when attending incidents including violent offending, car crashes and serious crime.
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Govt considers further alcohol restrictions
30th August 2011
The Government will set up an expert forum to look into further restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship, as its refusal to budge on higher alcohol prices comes under fire. The Alcohol Reform Bill was reported back from the justice and electoral select committee today. Most of the major elements were unchanged, including: # A split alcohol purchase age of 18 for bars and restaurants and 20 for liquor shops and supermarkets
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Tapu Misa: Alcohol bill diluted to an insipid brew
30th August 2011
If I were in the alcohol industry I'd count the updated Alcohol Reform Bill as a win.
The dairy, grocery and small business owners are understandably upset. Their ability to sell liquor is what keeps them afloat, they say, and even if everyone else is drowning, well, that's a matter of personal responsibility. But the Hospitality Association seems little affected. And it is right about the "reforms" not reducing binge drinking.
As Alcohol Action's Professor Doug Sellman argues, the updated bill continues to "dither and tinker" with liquor laws.
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Supermarkets face booze crackdown
25th August 2011
Greater restrictions on how supermarkets sell alcohol - such as a ban on merchandising near the entrance or at checkouts - are likely to feature in the Government's revised bill to tackle alcohol harm, expected to be released today. But the main provisions of the Alcohol Reform Bill are likely to be mostly unchanged, including a split age of 18 and 20 for buying alcohol, greater powers for local communities, and cracking down on the supply of booze at parties including after-ball functions.
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