Hāpai Te Hauora and Alcohol Healthwatch are applauding the decision by a bottle store applicant in Takanini, South Auckland, not to proceed with their application to open a new bottle store in the neighbourhood. Had the bottle store gone ahead it would have increased the number of off-licences in the community to five.
Alcohol Healthwatch and Maori Public Health provider Hapai te Hauora strongly support the new Government’s commitment to addressing the growing needs and inequities surrounding mental health and addictions.
Anthony Hawke of Hapai te Hauora says, “The announcement of the Mental Health Inquiry is opportune as we mark the 5th birthday of our new liquor laws. The links between our growing problem with drinking and poor mental health need to be addressed. The Government was right to include addictions into the inquiry into mental health. In 2012 we had the chance to raise the price of alcohol and save lives. We didn't. Our communities paid the price. Now is the time for this to be remedied.”
Public health groups are thrilled that the five-year legal battle to set a floor price for alcohol in Scotland has finally reached its conclusion. On Wednesday, the UK Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Scottish Government to allow implementation of its Minimum Unit Pricing legislation of 50 pence per standard drink to save lives and reduce crime.
Community and public health groups working to reduce alcohol-related harm are thrilled that community calls to halt the proliferation of alcohol outlets in Auckland have been heard.
Alcohol Healthwatch is an established Charitable Trust with a mission to reduce alcohol-related harm through effective health promotion.
The alcohol industry appears to be putting its considerable lobbying weight into challenging the rights of communities to determine the way alcohol is sold in their neighbourhoods.
In recent weeks several alcohol delivery services have promoted their businesses in the New Zealand media. The news website Stuff reported on one in Hamilton and another in Auckland.
Associate Health Minister Hon Peter Dunne has launched an action plan today aimed at better supporting those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and reducing the numbers of babies born with this preventable condition.