Thread: New Zealand to up drinking age - to 20

now the kiwis are at it:

New Zealand to up drinking age - to 20

Wellington (dpa) - A committee of the New Zealand parliament recommended on Friday that the legal minimum age to drink alcohol should be raised from 18 to 20.

This would revert to the situation prevailing before 1999 when parliament allowed young people to buy liquor legally at the same age they can vote and join the armed forces.

All 121 members of parliament will now have another conscience vote, free of direction by their political parties, later this year before the change becomes law.

The committee's decision was hailed by the Alcohol Healthwatch organisation which said that society had been paying for the failed experiment since 1999 and 18- to 19-year-olds were now the country's heaviest drinkers.

The national Drug Foundation also welcomed it, saying that raising the age to 20 was important to change the country's binge-drinking culture.

But Bruce Robertson, chief executive of the Hospitality Association, attacked it as an "archaic and draconian measure which will further alienate a generation with different values and attitudes to those of our members of parliament."

He said, "We expect them to be responsible enough to vote, become a member of parliament, join the police force, have same sex marriages, have children or be a prostitute but the committee is saying we cannot trust them to buy alcohol."

It is not the business of goverment to dictate how people lead thier lives. Freedom of choice is the only freedom we really have.

I did my best drinking well before i was fucking 20.. It could ruin someones life this!

Originally Posted by [SIZE=2]Bruce Robertson[/SIZE]

He said, "We expect them to be responsible enough to vote, become a member of parliament, join the police force, have same sex marriages, have children or be a prostitute but the committee is saying we cannot trust them to buy alcohol."

^ Exactly. If people are brought up in a society where there is no stigmatism attached to drink, it won't become such an issue/problem; just look a the Frogs.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Exactly. If people are brought up in a society where there is no stigmatism attached to drink, it won't become such an issue/problem; just look a the Frogs.

Totally agree. People learn to be responsible drinkers by example, not by government dicta.

The Frogs smoke so much dope you can taste it in their cheese (through osmosis).

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

He said, "We expect them to be responsible enough to vote, become a member of parliament, join the police force, have same sex marriages, have children or be a prostitute but the committee is saying we cannot trust them to buy alcohol."

^ Exactly. If people are brought up in a society where there is no stigmatism attached to drink, it won't become such an issue/problem; just look a the Frogs.

You are right, but it ain't going to happen in NZ.They let 18year olds in two years ago and all of a sudden 15 and 16 year olds are at the pub.All getting pissed as farts (binge drinking etc) and creating a world of shite.false id's and all that.not enough cops at home to police etc.

they tried a huge advertising campaign etc, but to no avail.

BTW,Bruce Robertson is only thinking about money.

I reckon that the age limit should be at least 30

binge drinking by teenies is ruining a nice walk in the park

send them all to the golf courses

20 years the legal age to drink in n.z.
no way i'll go back to bondi when and if i go back to aus. must be lining up at the airports.

that should piss all the kindergärtner's off in N.Z.

and whats gonna happen? kids that are 19 and could drink now cannot gonna stop?? i dont think so. the issue is obviously deeper. look at states for example of how not to do it!

Originally Posted by KID

Originally Posted by kingwillyhggtb

and whats gonna happen? kids that are 19 and could drink now cannot gonna stop?? i dont think so. the issue is obviously deeper. look at states for example of how not to do it!

more drunks in Europe than the states !!!! hell I bet you pour a beer over your breakfast cereal

yep dats right!