Visiting doctor sees New Zealanders as drinkers, smokers

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 8

Visiting doctor sees New Zealanders as drinkers, smokers

. New Zealand has formidable alcohol and smoking problems, according to the assistant editor of the “British Medical Journal," Dr Richard Smith. In two visits to New Zealand in the last four years, Dr Smith has seen “a. nation of people who drink and smoke too much, and a Government that is reluctant to do anything about it." He criticises the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council for being “hamstrung” because it is a government body and therefore restricted in what it can do politically to reduce alcohol problems.

He also criticises the lack of effective anti-smoking lobbies in New Zealand.

Writing in the April 3 edition of the journal, Dr Smith said he had worked in New Zealand for a year in 1978 after having worked in Scotland, and had visited New Zealand again recently to see'how. the country was handling its smoking and drinking problems. “New Zealanders drink a little more alcohol than the Scots, who are notorious for such problems. New Zealanders consequently have as many, if not more, alcoholrelated probems and medical conditions as the Scots," he said. The difference between Scotland and New Zealand; however, was that New Zealand had been slow to take initiatives to deal with smoking and alcohol problems, he said.

“This is surprising, as New Zealand is not slow in most medical and social matters and is a world leader in various medical specialities," said Dr Smith. He criticised the lack of public or professional health groups to campaign effectively against smoking and drinking. New Zealanders smoked less than the British, and also smoked less in 1981 than they did in 1976. in spite of the lack of any very active anti-smoking campaign, he said.

Dr Smith describes the attempt by a few New Zealanders to create an antismoking lobby group, called Action on Smoking and

Health — but how limited resources allowed only a part-time director. He gives an example of why such an organisation,is necessary in New’ Zealand.

When the Police Offences Act 1927. was replaced mainly -because most of its provisions were outdated one clause in the act w r as overlooked. “It was that clause which covered young people buying cigarettes. It is now legal for children of any age to buy cigarettes in New Zealand School tuckshops could now contain' cigarette machines,’ Dr Smith said.!“The Government's advisory committee on smoking and health had pointed out this anomaly, but the Government refused to do anything," he said.

Alcohol abuse was an even bigger issue than smoking and New Zealand had a long history of concern about alcohol problems, he said. “The ambivalence of the New Zealand Government over alcohol problems is well illustrated by its involvement with the wine industry. Tax on wine is considerably less than the tax on beer and spirits," he said. “The Government is enthusiastic about wine because it believes that eventually it will become a profitable export." The wine industry planned to double its output to 80 million litres by the 19905, he said.

“But in a world awash with Californian, European, South American, and Australian wine and with the main markets on the other side of the. world, who is going to buy New Zealand wine?" he said.

“Nobody, believe most of the people concerned about alcohol problems. They think that much of those extra 40 million litres will be drunk by New Zealanders." In criticising the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, Dr Smith said:

“First, being a government body, it has to be circumspect in what it says and so conducts rather effete campaigns, and second, it is often seen as being too closely associated with liquor interests, since it has the

chairman of the Liquor Industry Council as a member. “This is probably a mistake, as the sad truth is that although alcohol producers are interested in reducing damage, bigger profits cannot be made from reduced consumption," he said.

“Thus.’ A.L.A.C., a body which at first sight seems admirable, may ultimately hinder the battle to reduce alcohol problems. This is because that, battle must be political and yet A.L.A.C. is restricted in what it can do politically."

The chairman of the Alcoholic ILiquor Advisory Council. Sir Leonard Thornton. said Dr Smith's comments indicated that he was not very well aware of what the council was, or did. "The council is funded really by the liquor industryin that council draws a levy on all the alcohol sold in New Zealand," Sir Leonard said.

He said that the council was not in competition with other areas for Government expenditure.

“We do feel ourselves entirely free to comment on alcohol-related fields," Sir Leonard said. “If he has the idea we are in some way inhibited, I can only say he is quite wrong."

“On the other question (membership of the council), all one can say is that there are eight members of the council and it is an autonomous body,"’ he said. "One individual, however able and efficient, does not determine the policy of the council." Sir Leonard said it was a pity Dr Smith had not talked to anyone from the council before writing his article.

He referred to a later article by Dr Smith, examining the British situation and finding it very inadequate in relation, to the provision of alcohol-related services.

“At least in New Zealand we have an organisation called the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council and it is trying to do something about co-ordinating alcohol-treat-ment services and educating in being more moderate in attitudes to alcohol," Sir Leonard said.