NZ health leaders urge government to keep alcohol industry out of policy-making
Health leaders from around the country are urging the Government to protect alcohol harm reduction policies from alcohol industry interference.
In an open letter sent to the Prime Minister and senior Ministers this week, Health Coalition Aotearoa and its partner organisations, warned that letting the alcohol industry shape policy undermined the health and wellbeing of NZ communities.
“New Zealanders deserve policies that put people’s health ahead of industry profits,” said HCA Co-Chair Professor Lisa Te Morenga. “We have international evidence, strong public support, and a clear mandate to keep vested interests out of the room when health policy is being made.”
HCA Co-Chair Professor Boyd Swinburn added that a recent survey found 71% of New Zealanders agreed the alcohol industry should have no role in developing government policies on alcohol.
“The World Health Organization has also recognised industry interference as a major obstacle to effective alcohol harm reduction,” he said.
There were 65 organisations who signed the letter including HPF, Cancer Society New Zealand, NZ Council of Trade Unions, several schools and city missions, Public Health Association and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
HCA is calling on Government to:
- Exclude the alcohol industry from the early development and decision stages of alcohol harm reduction policies.
- Allow the industry to submit views only through public consultation processes, on the same footing as the public.
- Enhance transparency by keeping a public record of all industry meetings and communications with Ministers and officials, as is already required for tobacco.
The open letter is part of HCA’s campaign to regulate lobbying, which seeks to protect public policy from vested interests.