Call for 'happy hours' to be restricted in Tasmania
Tasmania's Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) is calling for tighter restrictions around the sale, consumption and advertising of alcohol.
The group has released a drug and alcohol plan which advocates prevention and early intervention measures.
Tasmanians seek professional help for alcohol more than any other drug.
The "Everybody's Business" plan from the ATDC recommends a review of the legal drinking age and a zero alcohol blood level for driving.
The plan also advocates restricting "excessive drinking" promotions, like happy hours, in pubs and bars.
"These are the sorts of promotions that actually can lead people into drinking much more alcohol than they had anticipated," Jan Smith from the ATDC said.
"If we can actually restrict and limit those sorts of promotions we also know that people are going to make better choices."
It also advocates for a reduction in the number of liquor licences being issued, in particular at sporting and family events.
Ms Smith said it was important for the community to consider how the harm caused by alcohol can be reduced.
"We know that there are three key levers that will change the consumption of alcohol," she said.
"One is when we address advertising, the other is availability and the third is price, the key levers that we can use are legislative."
The Tasmanian Government is currently reviewing the state's 20-year-old liquor licensing laws.
Ms Smith said legislative change is key.
"I think once the Government looks at the evidence and see what actually works and we can provide that research and information, then making decisions about improving the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians isn't going to be that difficult."
Source: ABC News, Lucy Shannon, July 20th 2015
Originally published as: Call for 'happy hours' to be restricted in Tasmania
