Dr Grant Hewison: Lawyer and Secretary of Communities Against Alcohol Harm, on changes to alcohol sales in Auckland

Tougher alcohol laws for Auckland, including banning sales in supermarkets and liquor stores after 9pm, could be in place by December.  The council designed Local Alcohol Policy is aiming to reduce alcohol harm, and will come up for a council vote at the end of the month.  The policy would also see a two-year ban on new bottle stores in the central city and 23 other areas, unless they meet a very high threshold.  Sports Clubs and RSAs would also have stop selling alcohol after 1am, while bars and other on-licenses would have to stop at 4am in the CBD and 3am everywhere else.  Lawyer and Secretary of Communities Against Alcohol Harm, Dr Grant Hewison told Francesca Rudkin they welcome these changes.  He says Auckland, particularly the City Centre faces significant issues around alcohol related harm.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.