Massey University
Auckland, February 27, 2018
New research from Massey Universitys SHORE (Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation) and Whariki Research Centre shows social supply of alcohol to friends under 18 has reduced following a law change (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012), but the quantities of alcohol supplied are still alarmingly high.
The study, led by Senior Researcher Dr Taisia Huckle found it was less common for suppliers to purchase alcohol to give to friends under 18, and more said they supervised the minors while drinking.
While it is a positive that friends are being supplied with fewer drinks, down from 13 in 2013 to 11 drinks in 2015, its still far too high.
Law change impact
Two national general population surveys of drinkers were analysed before and after the law change, which came into effect on December 1, 2013. The updated law made it illegal for anyone to supply alcohol to a person under 18 without the express consent of their parent or guardian. It also required that supply be done in a responsible manner, which could include supervising the consumption.
The surveys asked social suppliers about to whom, how much and how often they supplied to under 18s in 2013 and 2015.
Key findings:
To whom and how much is supplied
Of suppliers, 48% provided alcohol to sons/daughters, 22% to friends and 28% to other relatives
Friends were usually supplied 11 drinks, the equivalent of 11 stubbie beer bottles.
Sons/daughters were usually supplied 6 drinks, the equivalent of six stubbie beer bottles.
The top 10% of suppliers usually provided the equivalent of 20 stubbie beer bottles.
Three-quarters of suppliers did not think the alcohol they supplied would be shared.
Impact of law change
Social Supply falls
Following the law change, a decrease in the frequency of social supply to under 18s was found from around once every seven weeks to once every nine weeks.
Suppliers less commonly supplied to friends under 18 (30% in 2013 to 22% in 2015); friends were supplied with fewer drinks (13 in 2013 to 11 drinks in 2015); and there was a tendency for greater supervision of social supply to friends (63% in 2013 to 79% in 2015) and other relatives (53% in 2013 to 60% in 2015).
The reductions in social supply to friends following the law change represents an improvement. However, the quantities supplied to friends and their under-age children are still too high, which reinforces the need for affirmative action on social supply at the policy, family and whnau and wider community level, Dr Huckle said.
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Photo Caption:
Dr Taisia Huckle
(Source: Massey News)
