Keep a lookout for alcohol advertising and promotion in your community

Be observant - be aware of alcohol advertising and promotions in and around your community. 

Keep a record - If you see or hear something that you don’t think is appropriate or responsible keep a record of the details, and as much information as you can about it including the product, company or agencies associated with it, where and when you saw or heard it. Keep a copy or take a photograph of it.

Make a complaint – if you feel that an advertisement, TV/radio programme or alcohol sign does not comply with the relevant Codes or bylaws then you can proceed to make a complaint.

Click on the links if you wish to make a complaint about an ad on TV, Radio, Internet, print, billboard, etc or promotion of alcohol in a TV or Radio Show programme

Alcohol advertisements and promotions come in many forms 

There are many forms of alcohol advertising:

Alcohol is also being promoted by schools in fundraising initiatives.

The law on alcohol advertising / promotions

In the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, there are two sections that are relevant to alcohol advertising and promotion in the community:

• Single Area provisions for supermarkets/grocery stores which restrict the exposure of alcohol within these premises

• Irresponsible Promotion of Alcohol - this means that:

“A person commits an offence if, in the course of carrying on a business, that person- (a) does anything that encourages people, or is likely to encourage people, to consume alcohol to an excessive extent, whether on licensed premises or at any other place;”

In the case of persons who are not licensees who are convicted under this section, they are liable to a fine of not more than $10,000.

Voluntary Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code

Most advertising controls in New Zealand come in the form of voluntary standards, regulated by the alcohol/media industry. Click here to learn more.