About Alcohol Action

Whether we choose to use alcohol or not, we are alarmed about the way alcohol dominates many social situations and the scale of unhealthy and dangerous drinking in contemporary New Zealand – a crisis that enriches the liquor industry while causing immense harm to individuals and society as a whole.

How Did We Begin

We are an incorporated society was founded by Professor Doug Sellman, Dr Geoff Robinson and Professor Jennie Connor in 2009, and our goal is to reduce alcohol related harm in New Zealand. To do this we need alcohol policy to be evidence based and informed by public health principles. We have a solid plan for the ongoing alcohol crisis in New Zealand which is known as the 5 plus solution, which is based on international evidence.

The 5+ Solution is a compilation of strategies for which there is substantial evidence that they reduce alcohol harm, without banning or prohibiting alcohol. They align with the consensus of international research experts, and the World Health Organisation. The more components of the 5+ solution that are implemented the more effective they will be, as they work together to change the drinking environment.

We also support other measures to reduce alcohol harm where there is evidence of effectiveness, or reduction in inequality between groups. This solution lies in between unrestricted commercialisation and prohibition, and survey data have shown at least 66% of New Zealanders 15 years of age and older support, or would accept, these policies.

Alcohol Issues - Drink Driving

We need your support to raise awareness and demand for policy change, so we can enjoy alcohol with less harm.

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The Issue – National Crisis

There is a national alcohol crisis. However, this crisis is under-recognized because we have become numbed by the unrelenting presence of alcohol-related problems. The national alcohol crisis has become our way of life. At least 25% of New Zealand drinkers are heavy drinkers (Wells et al 2006) A third of all police apprehensions involve alcohol (Stevenson 2009) Half of serious violent crimes are related to alcohol (Stevenson 2009) 60 different medical conditions are caused by heavy drinking (O’Hagan et al 1993) Up to 75% of a...

Why is this issue so important?

Our environment is s a strong determinant of our health. If 15 people per week were dying from contaminated water supplies, our public health system would be highly engaged in identifying and eliminating the cause of it. Currently 15 people are dying per week from alcohol related causes- 5 of those deaths being from cancer. Our public health officials are well aware of this, and are making every effort to persuade our government to regulate the commercial environment that encourages low prices, ubiquitous advertising and easy availability- a...

Myths, Facts and FAQs

Myth: “Alcohol reform will “punish” responsible drinkers” Fact: Alcohol harm costs this country billions each year and this burden falls on all of us, drinkers, taxpayers and non-drinkers alike. The scientific evidence is clear; an integrated solution to the alcohol crisis, including small price increases, bans on advertising and removing alcohol from supermarkets, will produce significant benefits for everyone. These benefits, both financial and social, will far outweigh minor price rises and inconvenience. Myth: “Alco...

Public Servants Can Be Politically Active

Many of the people at the front line of alcohol harm are public servants. One could argue that public servants have a responsibility to inform MPs about the situation with alcohol harm. State Service Commission (SCC) guidelines make it clear that in almost all instances, individuals can be politically active, including on issues related to their public service vocation. To be doubly sure, we also contacted the PSA (Public Service Association) who confirmed this. Only public servants directly working on the policy area in question need sta...

The Government should do more than just Tinkering

The current alcohol laws just tinker with the problem. Read the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2012/0120/latest/DLM3339333.html Our organisation campaigned hard prior to this legislation being passed in Parliament. The Law commission had included the 5 Plus solution in its comprehensive recommendations to our elected representatives. Unfortunately the Government at the time cherry picked these recommendations, leaving out vital policy on price , availablity, advertising, age of purchase a...

Take Action

What you can do 1. Join up to be part of Alcohol Action and get our email updates. 2. Promote discussion of the 5+ Solution with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. 3. Write a "letter to the editor" of your local newspaper. 4. Write to and lobby your MP. 5. Attend the annual Alcohol Action NZ conference at Te Papa, Wellington. 6. Make a donation to support Alcohol Action NZ. ...