Monday, 21 November 2005 - 9:01am |
National News

Irresponsible "Happy Hours" no laughing matter

2 min read

A reinforcement of the law against irresponsible drink promotions has been welcomed by Police.

The Liquor Licensing Authority was asked to make a ruling after concerns were raised about a Dunedin bar's offer to sell double shots of spirits at an average price of $1.66. The discounting scheme was promoted as "Wet Wednesday" by the Bowling Green Hotel.

Commenting on the ruling, Superintendent Dave Trappitt, National Manager: Planning and Policy, said: "Profit should not be put above people's safety. Those drinks might look cheap, but when discounting policies lead patrons to stock up, and consume alcohol more quickly and heavily than normal, then they could ultimately be coming at a very high price".

"The link between alcohol abuse and crime is real, and people who are intoxicated put themselves and others at greater risk of being either perpetrators or victims of drink-fuelled crime".

"Drinkers need to exercise self-restraint if offered the lure of cheap alcohol", Superintendent Trappitt points out, "but bar owners and managers also have a legal duty not to encourage binge-drinking through irresponsible promotions".

The action against the Bowling Green Hotel followed a series of liquor-related incidents last year involving patrons who had taken advantage of the tavern's cut-price spirits offer. These included assault with intent to injure and drink-driving, prompting police to put the bar under the spotlight. Continuing problems with intoxication at the tavern this year led authorities to bring the case before the Liquor Licensing Authority.

In its decision, released last week, the Authority found that cheap sales of spirits in a compressed timeframe are likely to encourage excessive consumption of alcohol, and thus fall foul of the law.

The Sale of Liquor Act 1989 specifically prohibits any promotion that is intended or likely to encourage excessive drinking. Breaches carry a maximum fine of $5,000 for license holders or bar managers. Evidence of such offending can also be used to seek suspensions of the premise's liquor license.

The Authority adjourned the case for six months - effectively putting the Bowling Green Hotel on a 'good behaviour bond'.

"The tavern in this case can count itself lucky it hasn't been made an example of", Superintendent Trappitt adds. "The Authority has flagged that it will be watching this area carefully, though, and has stated that: 'Any activity which promotes or encourages excessive consumption or liquor abuse, whether intentional or not, is likely to be condemned with a deterrent sanction'."

"This is a timely reminder that promotions which encourage binge-drinking are illegal. If we come across schemes like this Dunedin one again, we will be pushing for appropriate sanctions to drive that message home".