We have all seen lately how there has been a call in NZ to reduce the overall alcohol consumption in the country. This seems to be largely because of drink driving, and teenagers hooning about. HOwever, their stratehy has been to raise taxes, and to make licensing more restrictive.
It appears the NZ strategy is directly in line with recommendations by the World Health Organisation. (WHO) Having said this, take note of one particular segment of WHO's statement..
Ten recommended target areas for policy options include health services' responses, community action, pricing policies and reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol.
This seems to a strategy that in the long term may affect home brewers. We should keep an eye out for this, as it can affect all of us depending on how it plays out in the long run. In the US, it is actually illegal in a number of states to even give your home brew away to a mate. Imagine if there comes a time that home brew will be illegal, or that yeast will incur a high excise tax..
Just food for thought.