While few had had the chance to read the 300-page Law Commission paper, their views appeared to fit within the 119 options offered by the commission.
We asked, of all the changes that could be made, which one would bring the most benefit to Dunedin?
Dunedin city councillor Bill Acklin: "Increase the off-licence age to 20 . . . to reduce the amount of alcohol drunk in cars, flats and on the street... Introduce earlier close-off times for entry into on-licensed premises to try and encourage less intoxication before arriving at an on-licence."
Dunedin city councillor Michael Guest: "For goodness' sake. We crave leadership on this issue of alcohol which is wrecking modern society.
"Restrict the number of off-licence outlets, restrict or ban advertising, redefine the definition of intoxication and penalise it, restrict hours for on-licences to 3am and educate more fully on the social costs of the abuse of alcohol."
Dunedin city councillor Dave Cull: "I think we could gainfully consider several of the options suggested. Increase the purchase and drinking ages. These could be different. Restrict opening hours for on-licence premises.
"There are very few places in the world where bars stay open all night. Reintroduce the offence of drunk in a public place. This is the community saying, `we have certain expectations of behaviour in our city'."
Bennu Restaurant and Bar co-owner Madeleine Callister: "I do think the age limit should be put back up again. When you are 16, you can get away with being 18 so the whole thing has gone down a bit. With it going lower, I think it leads to irresponsible drinking."
Ra Cafe and Bar co-owner Beth O'Connor: Do away with the sale of cheap alcohol in supermarkets.
"They [drinkers] come into town tanked and then we have to deal with it. It's because they are getting drunk on the cheap."
A district health board emergency medical consultant: "It all stems from our binge-drinking culture. It really has to start with the way we drink. A huge part in emergency medicine related business is alcohol related... Changing the age back could help. It's worth trying. Something's got to be done."
A Dunedin police officer: "Raise the age I suppose... I think it still comes down to education and changing our culture - how we drink rather than the age."
