Returning the drinking age to 20, regulating irresponsible drinks promotions and raising the price of alcohol by an average of 10 percent are among a range of measures aimed at combating alcohol-caused harm recommended by the Law Commission.

Launching the report, Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm, commission president Sir Geoffrey Palmer today said its 153 recommendations provided "a blueprint for reducing both the short and long term effects of alcohol misuse on society".

"Those who enjoy alcohol socially and drink in a low risk manner will be little affected by the Law Commission's recommendations," he said.

The reforms aimed to reduce the harms associated with heavy drinking and drinking to intoxication and the changes will be considered by the Government when it overhauls liquor laws later this year.

Key policy recommendations include:

• The introduction of a new Alcohol Harm Reduction Act;
• Raising the price of alcohol by an average of 10 percent through excise tax increases;
• Regulating irresponsible promotions that encourage the excessive consumption, or purchase, of alcohol;
• Returning the minimum purchase age for alcohol to 20;
• Increasing the ability of local people to influence how and where alcohol is sold in their communities;
• Moving over time to regulate alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

The commission undertook a three-month public consultation and received 2939 submissions on its original issues paper, released last year.

Sir Geoffrey said while there had been many benefits associated with the liberalisation of New Zealand's liquor laws in 1989, the resounding message from the public was that the pendulum had swung too far.

A saturated alcohol market had led to intense competition and the over commercialisation of alcohol.

"One of the consequences of alcohol being promoted and sold at pocket-money prices is that we risk losing sight of its status as a legal drug, capable of causing serious harm to others."

Policies which targeted cheap alcohol were particularly important because research shows low cost alcohol is favoured by young and heavy drinkers.

A recommended 50 percent increase in excise tax would push alcohol prices up by an average of 10 percent but would differentially target low cost alcohol which is known to drive most acute harm.

Sir Geoffrey said the commission was unapologetic about the fact that some policies specifically targeted young people and their parents.

Sir Geoffrey said there is growing research evidence of a causal link between alcohol intoxication and aggression.
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Police statistics show that people aged 17 - 19 comprised the highest proportion of offenders who have consumed alcohol prior to committing an offence.

Sir Geoffrey said there was overwhelming support from submitters for a return to 20 as the minimum purchase age.

(Source: NZPA, April 27th 2010 retrieved from www.stuff.co.nz)