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Download AudioAlcohol Healthwatch says it’s time to get rid of the advertising that has normalised alcohol consumption among vulnerable rangatahi.
Executive director Nikki Jackson says rangatahi Māori are more likely to experience alcohol harm at a younger age than non-Māori.
She says alcohol has been normalised in Aotearoa through the abundance of liquor outlets and ads, and the successful crack down on tobacco advertising shows the way ahead.
“So we don’t see (tobacco) everywhere now. It is behind the cupboards in our supermarkets and other places so it is out of sight and that has really helped prevent rangatahi from taking up smoking. We can do the same for alcohol. It’s our most harmful drug and its advertising should be restricted,” Dr Jackson says.
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