RAISING the legal drinking age would see widespread closures of venues and almost destroy the Tasmanian hospitality industry, the state's leading hospitality association said yesterday.
With more than 70 per cent of alcohol consumed away from licensed premises, the age lift would do nothing to change the culture of binge drinking, Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said.
The response follows a survey by the Federal Government that revealed public support for raising the drinking age had risen from 40 per cent to 50 per cent over the past decade.
However, Mr Old said the proposal would have far-reaching consequences.
"It would make many venues go bust because a lot of them are frequented by 18 to 21-year olds," he said.
"And they don't go there just to drink but also to eat and socialise more generally. They wouldn't be able to go into a licensed venue without a consenting adult so it's not only going to deal with the drinking side but could stop people that age from going out altogether.
"We want people drinking in licensed venues where they can drink safely because venues have a responsibility to patrons. The problem is people drinking at home where it is unrestricted, which would only get worse if the legal age is raised."
Mr Old said raising the drinking age would also mean staff in pubs and clubs would also need to be at least 21 years of age, which could impact on youth unemployment.
Tasmania has the highest rate of youth unemployment, with more than 22 per cent of 15 to 19-year-olds not working or enrolled in study.
Holyoake chief executive Sarah Charlton said the drug and alcohol counselling agency supported the move, but found the best way of tackling alcohol issues with young people was through education.
"Science has proven a young person's brain is still developing into their mid-20s so if we can delay any detrimental effect of alcohol on those vulnerable brains then let's do it," she said.
Ms Charlton said she understood why the hospitality and other industries would object, but changing societal attitudes to drinking had to be a priority due to Tasmania's high alcohol consumption rate.
"If you go down to Salamanca on a Friday or Saturday night you see a lot of young people in that age group who are drunk," she said.
"The majority of crimes committed against another person are by a young male when they are drunk. Anything we can do to change this is a plus."
jessica.howard@news.com.au
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