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NSW drops bans on alcohol discounts and youth celebrity promotions NSW drops bans on alcohol discounts and youth celebrity promotions
(2 months later)
Changes to state government regulations on the sale of alcohol in NSW have been heavily watered down to ditch proposed bans on huge discounts and promotions by celebrities who appeal to under-18s.Changes to state government regulations on the sale of alcohol in NSW have been heavily watered down to ditch proposed bans on huge discounts and promotions by celebrities who appeal to under-18s.
The new guidelines have lost many of the strict recommendations made in a draft from August last year, leading to accusations by the Labor opposition and Greens that the rules had been written by the alcohol industry and lobby.The new guidelines have lost many of the strict recommendations made in a draft from August last year, leading to accusations by the Labor opposition and Greens that the rules had been written by the alcohol industry and lobby.
The August draft ruled out “endorsements from celebrities or other role models that primarily appeal to minors as part of the liquor promotion”, reported Fairfax, but in the final guidelines the ban has become advice under “additional information” for venues to “take care”.The August draft ruled out “endorsements from celebrities or other role models that primarily appeal to minors as part of the liquor promotion”, reported Fairfax, but in the final guidelines the ban has become advice under “additional information” for venues to “take care”.
Articles that specifically banned the giving of free drinks to encourage wet T-shirt competitions, or “women who hang their undies behind the bar", and other promotions that objectify or sexually objectify men or women have been reduced to a broader ban on promotions which offer “free or discounted drinks for participating in an activity which may be offensive to a reasonable adult present ... for example, encouraging participants to remove items of clothing”.Articles that specifically banned the giving of free drinks to encourage wet T-shirt competitions, or “women who hang their undies behind the bar", and other promotions that objectify or sexually objectify men or women have been reduced to a broader ban on promotions which offer “free or discounted drinks for participating in an activity which may be offensive to a reasonable adult present ... for example, encouraging participants to remove items of clothing”.
The new guidelines crack down on promotions that encourage binge drinking through promotions such as free, discount or all-you-can-drink offers, drinking games and language such as “drink like a fish”.The new guidelines crack down on promotions that encourage binge drinking through promotions such as free, discount or all-you-can-drink offers, drinking games and language such as “drink like a fish”.
They also ban discount vouchers that encourage “rapid consumption of alcohol over a short period of time”, however a draft ban on discount vouchers of more than 50% – such as supermarket shopper dockets – has been downgraded to a promotion that requires “harm minimisation measures”.They also ban discount vouchers that encourage “rapid consumption of alcohol over a short period of time”, however a draft ban on discount vouchers of more than 50% – such as supermarket shopper dockets – has been downgraded to a promotion that requires “harm minimisation measures”.
References to the dangers of energy drinks have been removed completely.References to the dangers of energy drinks have been removed completely.
"This set of guidelines has been watered down the point where it's actually a sop to the alcohol industry and it's certainly not going to be addressing the issues around alcohol-fuelled crime and alcohol-fuelled violence," the deputy opposition leader, Linda Burney, told reporters."This set of guidelines has been watered down the point where it's actually a sop to the alcohol industry and it's certainly not going to be addressing the issues around alcohol-fuelled crime and alcohol-fuelled violence," the deputy opposition leader, Linda Burney, told reporters.
Greens MP John Kaye said the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) was given "privileged access" to rewrite the draft guidelines.Greens MP John Kaye said the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) was given "privileged access" to rewrite the draft guidelines.
"These liquor promotion guidelines have been written not only by Coles and Woolworths and liquor store associations, but also the AHA," he told reporters, referencing a letter from the AHA to the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing which specifically asked for the ban on using youth-oriented celebrities for promotion to be removed."These liquor promotion guidelines have been written not only by Coles and Woolworths and liquor store associations, but also the AHA," he told reporters, referencing a letter from the AHA to the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing which specifically asked for the ban on using youth-oriented celebrities for promotion to be removed.
“Licensees and their staff are required by law to maintain responsible attitudes and practices regarding the promotion, sale and service of alcohol,” the acting minister for hospitality, Andrew Stoner, said.“Licensees and their staff are required by law to maintain responsible attitudes and practices regarding the promotion, sale and service of alcohol,” the acting minister for hospitality, Andrew Stoner, said.
“The Liquor Promotion Guidelines will encourage greater responsibility by defining clear expectations about alcohol promotions by licensed venues and spelling out what is and isn't acceptable.”“The Liquor Promotion Guidelines will encourage greater responsibility by defining clear expectations about alcohol promotions by licensed venues and spelling out what is and isn't acceptable.”
Under the new guidelines, licensees are banned from using imagery and branding, merchandise, and interactive games or technology that primarily appeals to or is targeted towards minors.Under the new guidelines, licensees are banned from using imagery and branding, merchandise, and interactive games or technology that primarily appeals to or is targeted towards minors.
Venues could be fined up to $5,500 for breaches of the new guidelines, which were last updated in 2009.Venues could be fined up to $5,500 for breaches of the new guidelines, which were last updated in 2009.
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