Policy and Advocacy: Evidence reviews

Our policy position, Reducing alcohol and other drug problems in New Zealand’s criminal justice system, outlines what we think are the ‘best buys’ for the government. As well as addressing the serious health needs among prisoners, these measures should go a long way towards reducing reoffending.

In New Zealand as with across much of the world, there is considerable interest in the global economic downturn and its effects. At the same time, alcohol and drug issues have featured prominently in recent public and political discourse, in part due to parallel Law Commission Reviews that are underway - one looking at legislation related to alcohol, the other reviewing the 1975 Misuse of Drugs Act. Yet there has been surprisingly little attention given to how the economic downturn might impact on alcohol and drug use, specifically, or on health and social issues, more broadly.

This review provides background evidence for the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s policy on the use of medicinal cannabis. It sets out:

In its 2004 Global Status Report: Alcohol policy, the World Health Organization presented survey information on regulation and self-regulation of alcohol advertising and sponsorship in its member countries. While legislative restrictions are common, few countries prohibit all forms of alcohol advertising. Some 23% to 31% of the 117 responding countries have implemented partial restrictions, either by medium – most usually restricting alcohol advertising on television and radio – and/or by beverage type – most usually restricting advertising of distilled spirits.

This paper summarises recent research findings on BZP/party pills, and outlines the current legislative status of BZP. It is being made available to assist organisations or people wanting to make submissions on the proposal to reclassify BZP and its analogues.

The sale of alcohol in New Zealand has been controlled by legislation since 1842. In contrast, the advertising and marketing of alcohol is left to the industries involved to ‘self-regulate’. Until the 1980s alcohol was not advertising on broadcast media, which were a state owned industry. Television advertising for off-licensed outlets was first permitted in 1981, followed by sports sponsorship or corporate advertising by alcohol companies from 1987.

There is now a considerable body of research that shows how alcohol advertising influences children and young people. Advertising encourages positive perceptions about alcohol, typical drinkers, and how much other people drink. These perceptions help shape their subsequent drinking behaviour. Studies reviewed below show children becoming aware of alcohol brands and influenced by alcohol advertising at a very young age.

This paper was written to provide supporting information for the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s 2006 policy position on alcohol and pregnancy.