It's not the drinking; it's how we're drinking
64 per cent of In Unison online readers think New Zealand should have a zero tolerance drinking driving policy and 22 per cent would like to see the drinking age raised to 20.
To coincide with The Eat and Drink issue In Unison asked online readers some questions on alcohol and the results show the majority are in favour of tougher laws on the purchasing of alcohol and alcohol consumption.
However, only 14 per cent of voters would choose a low alcohol beer over standard options.
The sale of liquor is under scrutiny after the release of the Government's integrated and comprehensive alcohol law reform package.
The package responds to the Law Commission's review of alcohol laws contained in the report: Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm.
Media scrutiny on youth drinking has reached fever pitch over the winter school ball season and reports on underage drinking are almost daily occurrences.
Justice Minister Simon Power released a plan late last month which would introduce a graduated approach to purchasing alcohol - 18 years of age for on-licences and 20 years of age for off-licences.
Ready to drink beverages (RTDs) will have an enforced limit of five per cent alcohol content and it will be an offence to provide alcohol to people under 18 without their parents’ consent.
But a New Zealand Herald poll showed a majority of 122 Members of Parliament thought underage drinking and the drinking-age issue is only one part of tackling what has been described as New Zealand's “drinking crisis”.
The number of repeat drink-drivers has risen steadily over the past three years, and more than 4000 have been prosecuted already this year.
Power says alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year, and is a major driver of crime.
Alcohol is implicated in 30 per cent of all police recorded offences, 34 per cent of recorded family violence, and 50 per cent of all homicides.
"What the Government has heard from the New Zealand public is that the pendulum has swung too far towards relaxation of alcohol laws,” says Power.
Vote at www.usu.co.nz/inunison to share your thoughts on alcohol laws and other topics.