Easing liquor sales could be a public health ‘disaster’

WHILE we all love the thought of cheap taxis and groceries, one aspect of possible new competition laws in Australia could be a ‘disaster’.

Why cheaper stuff could be dangerous

THIS week a review of competition law in Australia has everyone talking about the prospect of cheaper goods and shaking up the power of Coles and Woolworths.

But one aspect of the Harper Review into competition law that has largely been ignored is the recommendation of easing restrictions on alcohol sales.

Essentially, it paves the path to enable alcohol to be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores (among others), instead of being limited to pubs, hotels and stand-alone bottle shops.

While greater competition in the sector may lead to cheaper prices for consumers, there’s a risk more alcohol retail outlets could lead to more alcohol-fuelled violence in the community, according to Mike Daube, Professor of Health Policy at Curtin University, and Director of the Public Health Advocacy Institute and the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth.

“What [the Harper Review] is saying is liquor licencing should be prioritised and that trading hours impedes competition. What they’re saying is liquor should be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores,” Mr Daube told news.com.au:

“I think that’s an enormous worry. There is mass evidence, global evidence, that more access to alcohol means more harm. There’s already ample access to alcohol — nobody finds it difficult to get a hold of it. If anything, we should be looking at more restrictions.

Scared woman afraid of her drunken husband

“It would be disastrous if [an easing of restrictions] were to be implemented. It will normalise alcohol to children, especially if you can buy it in a supermarket on the shelf next to the cornflakes.”

The World Health Organisation has written that reducing alcohol availability has had an effect on reducing violence.

In a report, WHO said: “Studies exploring the impact of reduced alcohol sales hours have found these to be associated with reduced violence, including homicide.”

Professor Daube added: “Overall, I think this is an issue where public health should override competition policy and the recommendation may be good for competition but it would be terrible for public health.

“More sales and exposure to alcohol means more harm, more violence, more domestic violence and more kids binge drinking.”