THE government is proposing to raise the legal minimum age of drinking from 18 to 21 years and to prohibit liquor advertising which targets youth in a bid to curb alcohol abuse.Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies on Monday launched a draft liquor policy paper, a draft Liquor Amendment Bill and a draft Gambling Amendment Bill for public comment in the next 45 days. Cabinet adopted the proposals two weeks ago and Davies encouraged vigorous public debate on the proposals. The liquor industry’s Association for Responsible Alcohol Use said it would comment on Tuesday.Also proposed is that the manufacturers and suppliers of liquor face civil liability when alcohol is a factor in incidents which cause damage involving costs. The onus will shift to them to prove that they took reasonable steps to ensure that their liquor was not supplied to an illegal or unlicensed outlet.The onus will also shift to a supplier who sells alcohol to a visibly intoxicated drinker who commits an offence. Sup...
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