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Hospitality Magazine Responsible Hospitality The hospitality industry has never provided a more responsible drinking environment than it is doing today. However a quick review of the mass media would suggest that a decadent New Zealand is like Rome, about to fall as society crumbles to the decadent drink, all served up by hungry hospitality operators intent on making a quick dollar. A bit strong perhaps but it is certainly being reflected in some of the early submitters to the Law and Order Select Committee calling for a raise in the age of purchase for alcohol from 18 to 20. These rabid sanctimonious do-gooders will never be satisfied and never accept the importance and essence of individual responsibility as part of society’s decision making as to what is acceptable and what is not. On-premise service of alcohol now amounts to only 30% of alcohol consumed in New Zealand. The majority of this alcohol is served in a responsible environment where operators understand the law and do not have intoxicated patrons on their premises and nor do they serve them. Good operators know and understand that having drunks on the premise is as bad for business as it is against the law. Some New Zealanders do have a problem with alcohol in terms of drinking too much when they do decide to drink. Some of these New Zealanders are under the age of 18, others are not. Much of this consumption does not occur in licensed premises but is the result of a purchasing and consumption of cheap off-premise alcohol consumed in unsupervised environments. Having had their fill, these same New Zealanders then go out seeking access to licensed premises. It is often the refusal of access to these New Zealanders that results in undue adverse publicity for hospitality precincts. It is time the do-gooders got off the back of the hospitality industry and focused their attention and resources on how best to change New Zealand’s drinking culture. Without an increased focus on individual responsibility little will change. Under the current law the only party responsible for people becoming intoxicated, which is an offence, is the licensee and bar manager. With only 30% of alcohol now consumed on-premise the only way to change the culture in New Zealand’s society is to find a way to make individuals responsible for their own consumption and actions. Bruce H Robertson Ref: h:hr6r6045.doc |
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