I just noticed the BNZ wine service
I am wondering if this is actually good for customers. Wine contains ethanol which is on the international agency for research on cancer ( IARC) group 1 list for causing cancer. Even low amounts cause cancer. To put in perspective, it is on the same list as asbestos, mustard gas, plutonium and tobacco for causing cancer in humans. Roundup is a group 2 agent- probably causes cancer in humans
But its more fun to drink alcohol than roundup eh?
My problem with the wine service is that alcohol is New Zealand’s most damaging drug. 14 people die each year from metamphetamine, and 800 die each year from alcohol related issues.
Now. I drink alcohol, which medically is just as risky as metamphetamine, and I am not a prohibitionist. But i do drink in the low risk category- less than 14 standard drinks per week and less than 4 SD at one time. There are 8 SD in a bottle of wine
The wine service, is actually a drug service. It is the normalization of a drug responsible for 70000 sexual and physical assaults and 4000 serious injuries to children each year. 5 people die each week from cancer relating to alcohol.
So, the BNZ would be more service to New Zealanders by supporting Alcohol Action NZ , which promotes evidence based alcohol policy- half way between prohibition and excessive commercialization of this drug. There is a World Health Organisation solution for this damage, which would affect risky drinkers, not "responsible " drinkers- increase purchase age , decrease advertising, reduce availability, increase excise tax and increase treatment opportunities for those suffering alcohol related harm.
The wine service is probably an alcohol industry tactic- to keep the idea going that alcohol is a daily commodity not a high risk to public health.
come on kiwis- let’s enjoy our alcohol, but let’s look after ourselves as well. To the BNZ, please consider not selling drugs- it’s not a good look for a community bank.