Drink raises risk of harm for young, ministry says

Young people are more at risk than other groups of harm related to drinking alcohol, a Ministry of Health survey says.

The Alcohol Use in New Zealand report issued yesterday said Maori men and women, Pacific men, and people living in poorer areas were also likely to suffer harm from their own or others' drinking.

Nearly 7000 people aged between 16 and 64 were asked about how often they drank, whether they had suffered harm related to drinking and if they had sought any help about their drinking.

Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said 85 per cent of respondents had drunk alcohol in the past year and while many drank in moderation, it was common to drink large amounts on "drinking occasions".

People aged 18 to 24 were likely to drink large amounts, of more than six standard drinks for men or more than four for women on one occasion. People in that age group experienced higher levels of harm from their drinking and other people's drinking than people in other age groups.

Dr Jacobs said the findings reinforced the need for people to enjoy alcohol responsibly.

Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne said the results were a "valuable and timely contribution to the national conversation" on alcohol law reform.

"The prevalence of binge drinking among young people and the apparent accessibility of alcohol for underage drinkers is an obvious concern," he said.

The drinking age was lowered from 20 to 18 in 1999 and since then attempts to reverse the decision have failed.

In July, the Law Commission recommended a split purchasing age, unbder which 18-year-olds could buy alcohol at bars and restaurants but had to be 20 to buy it at stores.

The recommendation is part of a report before ministers.

The results of a Research NZ poll released yesterday found most New Zealanders thought lowering the drinking age to 18 had had a negative effect on society.

But respondents were divided on whether they agreed with the split purchasing recommendation.

Mr Dunne said the survey sent a message that liquor legislation review needed to focus on measures targeting the most at-risk groups without limiting the rights of the majority who consumed alcohol responsibly.