Eden Park group calls for ban on easy-to-conceal alcohol sachets

Palm-sized alcohol sachets have been found scattered around Eden Park despite a ban on people bringing in their own liquor.

An Eden Park group is urging Justice Minister Amy Adams to ban palm-sized alcohol sachets, which are being found scattered around the stadium grounds after big games.

An Auckland councillor representing the Eden Park Community Liaison Group is particularly worried that the sachets can be easily smuggled into events with booze restrictions, adding to the country's already high rate of alcohol harm.

Despite widespread concern that came with their entrance into the market in 2013 - and police dismay at the time - the sachets are still available at some bottle stores for less than $2 each.

Councillor Cathy Casey, a member of the liaison group, said Eden Park management was worried at how many were being taken into the grounds at big events, despite liquor licences banning people bringing their own alcohol.

In light of the complaints, she bought some of the 25ml sachets and was alarmed to find that Cheeky products, flavoured in three varieties and containing around 0.4 standard drinks each, carried a relatively high alcohol concentration of 20 per cent.

Dr Casey was further worried that a powdered alcohol product branded as "Palcohol" could also soon be available in New Zealand, after just being approved for sale in the United States. On behalf of the group, she has written to Ms Adams asking her to intervene and ban the importation of alcohol sachets and powder.

Last night, Ms Adams said she would consider the matter, which had not yet been raised with the Government.

However, Inspector Gary Davey of the Auckland City police said empty sachets found at various venues around the city had prompted police to raise concerns at a national level.

"We would be concerned that any alcohol, irrespective of how it is packaged or marketed, further contributes to the harm caused to consumers that current alcohol consumption already does," he said.

"We share the councillor's views about the availability and marketing strategies associated with these products."

Professor Doug Sellman, director of the National Addiction Centre, doubted banning the products would have a big impact on binge drinking but supported the call all the same.

Dr Sellman did not consider their low price a major factor but there was concern the sachets made alcohol more accessible, especially in public places where booze was either banned or restricted.

Dr Andrew Hearn of the Health Promotion Agency was concerned at how easily they could be concealed.

The Herald was unable to reach anyone from Cheeky, whose previous trading name Cheeky Ltd has not been registered with the New Zealand Companies Office since March.

The company has previously defended the products, which it said were primarily designed for "pragmatic application", such as adding to soft drinks, and not for "sneaking into licensed premises or for sinister means, such as drink-spiking".