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'It's been shown that it doesn't actually work' - industry lobbyist and health researcher go head to head over minimum booze pricing

May 2, 2018

Scotland will introduce the measure today, which makes it illegal to sell alcohol below certain price points, to help combat problem drinking.

An alcohol industry lobbyist and an alcohol harm researcher have gone head to head this morning on the issue of introducing minimum alcohol pricing in New Zealand after Scotland did the same to combat problem drinking.

Minimum pricing comes in to effect in Scotland from today, which will mean that super cheap alcoholic products - often favoured by problem drinkers - will be required by law to reach a certain price point.

Nick Leggett of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council and Dr Nicki Jackson of Alcohol Healthwatch both presented arguments on the issue this morning on TVNZ 1's Breakfast, with Mr Leggett saying "it's been shown that it doesn't actually work".

"People who actually abuse alcohol are the people who are least likely to be affected by price," Mr Leggett said.

"There are people who buy cheaper alcohol products ... and they drink reasonably ... so those are the people who are going to be impacted."

Dr Jackson said it was important to look at research, rather than assumptions, and pointed out that similar measures in Canada have seen a decrease in the crime rate and hospital admissions.

"This is very targeted .. it targets low income heavy drinkers," she said.

"When the industry is saying this is going to target low risk drinkers - they're going to pay $20 more per year."

Dr Jackson said the measures would likely reduce alcohol consumption in problem drinkers by five-10 per cent, which is in line with what has been seen in other countries.

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