Editorial: Free water only fair for non-drinkers

Have we reached the place where nothing is free any more?

Even water, a basic of life, costs money if you choose the wrong bar in Mount Maunganui.

In the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend we speak with Kas Craw, who ironically is involved in road safety initiatives in the Bay.

She was a little dismayed to say the least when she was asked to pay $2.50 for a bottle of fresh spring water at the Stock Xchange Bar and Cafe recently when she just wanted a free glass of tap water.

Mrs Craw and a friend were sober drivers and they were trying to do the right thing and keep themselves and us safe on the roads.

They thought asking for, and drinking water, was a prudent idea before they drove themselves and their friends home.

We all know that driving drunk is a killer on our roads.

Every month we publish the names of convicted drink drivers in our area and the list never seems to get any smaller.

In today's paper, we also explore the issue of youth drinking and the drinking age. Binge drinking continues to be an issue in this region.

Every weekend if there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that there will be drivers who leave bars in central Tauranga and downtown Mount Maunganui who will be over the legal limit to drive.

They won't realise it and their friends, who are getting a free ride home, aren't too likely to stop them either.

We need more women like Mrs Craw to do the right thing and stay sober enough to safely drive on our roads.

Stock Xchange owners Jules and Brian Walker say the free tap water option was continually being abused.

They say patrons sit at their tables, enjoy their hospitality, entertainment and facilities and don't spend any money.

And they say there are others who claim to be sober drivers to claim free drinks but end up getting a taxi home or being driven home anyway.

I guess you could say they are sick of the privilege being abused.

But the Walkers seemed to have overlooked the bigger picture.

There is such a thing as host responsibility and they know the very real implications of letting their patrons leave their bar intoxicated and then cause trouble or drive.

There is no statutory requirement under the current Sale of Liquor Act to provide free water, but bars must provide a range of non-alcoholic drinks for sale and promote them at all times.

The Hospitality Association of New Zealand says licensees are encouraged to provide water, wherever possible, free of charge.

Asking for a glass of tap water hardly seems like a big ask and should not be a large cost to the business.

In fact, offering free water and soft drinks might be enough incentive to lure groups to a bar, allowing the sober drivers to enjoy their evening as much as their full-paying passengers.

Other bar owners in the Bay we spoke to see the advantage of assisting sober drivers and some even go further in offering other non-alcoholic drinks for free.

The Walkers might want to rethink their policy for the good of their community and their business.