How does the Act define 'alcohol'?

The definition of 'alcohol' as any beverage containing ethanol, including beer, wine, and spirits, aligns with the legal understanding of what constitutes alcoholic beverages in New Zealand. Ethanol is the key psychoactive ingredient in these drinks, and the law recognizes a wide range of products that contain this substance as alcohol. This definition captures the essence of various alcoholic drinks consumed socially and commercially, laying the groundwork for legislation related to their sale and consumption.

In contrast, defining alcohol strictly as a drink that contains more than 10% alcohol by volume overlooks lower-alcohol beverages that are still classified as alcoholic. Describing alcohol simply as any liquid that causes intoxication does not provide the specificity required for legal definitions and could include non-alcoholic substances. Finally, referring to alcohol solely as a substance used for medicinal purposes excludes the primary cultural and social contexts in which alcohol is consumed, making it an inadequate definition within the framework of the law.