Liquorland tones down party calculator
Liquorland has toned down an online booze calculator which had recommended up to three bottles of wine in a session for party goers.
An alcohol harm reduction group has welcomed the move, but still wants police to investigate whether the bottle shop chain broke the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. for irresponsible promotion of alcohol.
For the past year, Liquorland’s website has featured the online drinks calculator.
It was marketed as a party planning tool for hosts and categorised guests into ‘‘light tipplers,’’ ‘‘typical drinkers,’’ ‘‘big night-outers’’ and ‘‘non-drinkers’’. Now, the ‘‘big night-outer’’
"Unless we get some clear test cases we don't know what potentially breaches the legal threshold." Rebecca Williams, Alcohol Healthwatch
category has disappeared. It also includes advice on host responsibility.
Liquorland, which is owned by Foodstuffs, recommended one ‘‘big night outer’’ would need three bottles of wine, or 23 standard drinks, for a 7-hour party.
The New Zealand Police said last month the calculator was worrying but it would need to be fully assessed before commenting on whether it broke the law.
Liquorland chief executive Rob Chemaly said the calculator was not illegal.
Changes were made to the party planner in the wake of a Sunday Star-Times story in July.
A spokesperson for Foodstuffs said it routinely reviewed its websites.
Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said she welcomed the changes but said a police investigation would provide clarity around the definition of irresponsible promotion of alcohol.
‘‘Unless we get some clear test cases we don’t know what potentially breaches the legal threshold.’’