Economist champions rights of moderate drinkers

An economist has stepped forward to champion the cause of the moderate drinker, who in the past few weeks has been hit by a raft of new rules and regulations, all imposed with a paucity of evidence they will achieve their stated aims.

Drinking hours have been cut, where and when alcohol can be bought further restricted, drinks at some public events curbed, legal drink driving levels reduced and freebies eliminated in certain circumstances.

These measures are said to be justified by the actions of a small minority and at a time when the wine industry has had the best vintage in its history and interest in craft beer is soaring.

So welcome to Dr Eric Cramption, a University of Canterbury academic and blogger, who says he wants to inject more economic rigour into the one-sided debate. His research is being funded the Brewers’ Association.

Until now, Dr Crampton has taken a largely personal interest in alcohol issues. His recent research has focused on the intersection of economics, voter knowledge and public policy.

He has taken particular interest in policy intended to mitigate the costs individuals may impose on others through the tax and public health system.

In 2011, he examined the numbers around the social cost of harmful alcohol use in New Zealand and Australia, finding they grossly overstated costs to the public purse.

His blog, Offsetting Behaviour, often features items on alcohol, such as his love for New Zealand wine and locally brewed craft beers. He says this has spurred his interest in moving into industry-funded research.

“It bothers me when basic statistics are misrepresented to purport that there's some kind of drinking crisis going on; it bothers me more when economic method is abused in support of regulatory policies more likely to do harm than good,” he says.

His blog (“Alcohol work,” Dec 6) outlines the conditions under which he will conduct the research and how much it will cost – essentially 20% of his university salary.

The Brewers Association’s director of external relations, Jenny Cameron, says the grant, which runs for three years, will maintain its commitment to quality science and evidence-based measures in the development of alcohol policy.

“It will add to the voices in the public debate over alcohol and alcohol policy as well as the importance of full academic freedom in pursuing research,” she says.