The Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill, proposed by Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick, recently failed at its first reading. The bill wasn’t proposing anything radical like taking away your bevvies; it simply aimed to end product-only advertising and alcohol sponsorship in broadcast sports.
Shockingly, alcohol isn’t great for you. Though we tend to forget, it’s technically a drug and is the leading cause of death in Aotearoa. Out of the 80% of New Zealanders who drink, around 25% do so harmfully, and a recent Otago Uni study found that 26% of deaths by suicide involve alcohol.
Despite the known harm of this drug, commercialisation and marketing has become ubiquitous in Aotearoa - especially within sport. As RNZ reported, this can mean teens start drinking at earlier ages and at more dangerous levels. According to Chlöe, viewers watching broadcast sports are exposed to alcohol marketing 1.6 to 3.8 times per minute. That’s a whole lot of “pride of the South”.
The bill failed 85 to 29 votes, receiving only lukewarm support from Labour. Mackenzie, secretary of Otago Campus Greens, told Critic Te Ārohi that their reaction was one of “tired frustration.” Labour treated it as a conscience vote, with only 17 MPs voting for it. This is despite Labour previously committing to enact the first half of the bill which empowers councils to have more power to control over trading hours and locations.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) generally supported the bill. “Chlöe takes a pragmatic and evidence-based approach to drug harm reduction,” said Jai, president of SSDP. The group also supports the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill which aims to “meaningfully increase community participation in the alcohol licensing processes.”
With the failure of the Chlöe’s bill, Critic Te Ārohi asked students what other things can be done to reduce alcohol-related harm. Jai said, “Increasing awareness and education around alcohol impacts is key.” Mackenzie agreed: “Alcohol-related harm doesn't just exist at the bottom of a bottle. It festers in an environment that doesn't prioritise educated and safe consumption.”
Critic Te Ārohi reached out to Southern Young Labour and Young Nats for comment, but did not receive a response in time for print.