Archive Article: Increasing The Alcohol Outlets. 18 Cct 02.
December 29, 2008

There has been a proposal to permit the sale of alcohol at petrol stations and supermarkets. This is the triumph of economic rationalism over common sense.

The head of the NSW Liquor Administration Board has proposed that alcohol be sold at petrol stations and supermarkets because it is already being sold in shops next to them. It is claimed that the proposal would increase competition for bottle shops and hoteliers. This is the standard type of economic rationalist argument – the importance of the market over social (or health) considerations.

But overseas experience shows how foolish is this proposal. Wesley Mission’s research department has used the Internet to examine what has been happening overseas. After all, it is easier to learn from the experience of others. The NSW proposal is already in force in various ways overseas.

First, the research shows that the easier it is to obtain alcohol, the greater is the consumption of it. This has been shown in research conducted by the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The American research is interesting for the development of “geo-mathematics” – the combining of maps, mapping and social indicators. For example, one project showed the correlation between levels of violence and places where alcohol can be bought. In other words, the “gut feeling” that people have an increase in alcohol leads to an increase in social problems can be supported by scientific research.

A survey from Vallejo, California shows that alcohol availability is related to violent assaults. Communities or neighbourhoods that have more liquor outlets experience more assaults. Therefore, if there is an increase in alcohol outlets in NSW, we can expect the level of assaults to increase. If the Government is serious about law and order, then it should work to reduce violence and not permit it to increase.

Second, the overseas experiences suggests that there will be an increase in police work in having to monitor the increased outlets to make sure that minors are not buying alcohol.

Third, a survey by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse shows that alcohol consumption among minors is reduced when the outlets are reduced.

Fourth, alcohol is not an ordinary foodstuff. Beers and spirits cannot be viewed as complementary to food. We should not blur the distinction between alcohol and food.

Fifth, selling alcohol when people can buy petrol will add to the risk of people drinking on their journey. US experience has shown that sales of alcohol at petrol stations are designed to promote “impulse” buying – and so they increase the risk of immediate consumption in vehicles.

By the way, New Zealand has had its own debate over this issue. Wesley Mission’s research had focussed on the problems of Auckland, the country’s largest city. The charitable organization Alcohol Healthwatch has called on the Liquor Licensing Authority to toughen up its stance when dealing with liquor licenses. The Police have made similar requests to that Authority. There is a lesson here for NSW.

Alcohol is a dangerous drug. Far more people are killed each year because of alcohol than all the narcotic drugs combined. We should be looking at ways of reducing its availability – not increasing them.

Broadcast On Friday 18th October 2002 On Radio 2GB’s “Brian Wilshire Programme” At 9pm.