Annual cost of FASD $4.8 billion

A study commissioned by Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health has found that that costs associated with FASD are far higher than any those associated with other form of alcohol harm.

The report, part of an independent review of the Alcohol Levy, estimates the gross costs of harms in 2023 attributable to the consumption of alcohol is approximately $9.1 billion based on the increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Over half ($4.8 billion) is due to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

The report said, "Even with significant costs excluded due to data gaps and the use of conservative approaches, the costs of alcohol harms in New Zealand remain substantial and warrant prioritisation from a policy and programme perspective."

Based on the results of this study, the NZIER recommended that Manatū Haora / Ministry of Health could "consider using a portion of the Alcohol Levy revenue or other funds to address problems with a demonstrated strong causal attribution to alcohol, such as FASD, where investment in diagnostic and therapeutic services is much needed (to improve outcomes, reduce the private burden of FASD, and help fill significant evidence gaps such as the prevalence of FASD in New Zealand), including in the youth justice system and the prison population."

A press release from Alcohol Healthwatch said, "New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Andrew Coster floated imposing restrictions to availability and price of alcohol, in response to a story on Police resources directed towards alcohol harm prevention. That story highlighted the well-evidenced fact that alcohol is New Zealand’s most harmful drug...

Executive Director Andrew Galloway said, "We welcome the Minister of Health Hon Dr Shane Reti’s announcement on FASD earlier this year, and we look forward to working with Government and communities and whanau to take action on FASD. We also need to take action on some of the upstream policy levers as well."

FASD-CAN agrees – these figures underline the enormous toll that alcohol takes on our people, our communities and our society, specifically in terms of FASD but despite this, the NZIER report has not been taken up by the media. 

Update: Alcohol Levy raised – but not enough to cover inflation

The alcohol industry has worked very hard to prevent an alcohol excise tax increase this year – the levy was raised, but by less than half a cent – not enough to even keep up with inflation. Journalist Guyon Espinar wrote an article calling the increase 'pitiful'.