KEY POINTS:
Backers of a bill to return the drinking age to 20 appear to have a fight on their hands, with fewer MPs now willing to commit their support.
The second reading of the private member's bill may begin this Wednesday but that depends on how quickly the House gets through its programme.
The bill passed its first reading 78-41 but several MPs want to take into account a select committee report before committing themselves.
A snap poll of all 121 MPs found that support had dwindled significantly.
However, 23 said they still had to make a final decision, four had no comment and 20 did not return calls.
Several are surveying their electorates on the issue and others are being heavily lobbied.
The bill's sponsor, Hamilton West MP Martin Gallagher, said yesterday: "My feeling is the vote is close."
He asked MPs to support the second reading regardless of their final position, as that would allow the bill to get through to the committee stage, where a series of potential amendments could then be considered.
At the same time yesterday, a "Keep it 18" campaign and website was launched by Wellington law student Christopher Bishop, with the help of right-wing blogger David Farrar.
It has the support of the youth wings of Labour, National, the Greens and Act, who plan a joint press conference on Monday.
A total of 32 MPs said they supported, or probably would support, the present drinking age of 18.
Another six were unsure but appeared to favour the status quo.
Twenty MPs said they would definitely or probably back raising the age to 20, while 10 said they would probably back it, with another three "don't knows" leaning that way.
Twelve MPs nominated National MP Wayne Mapp's proposed compromise option as their preferred choice, while others said they were now giving it some consideration.
Mr Mapp's amendment to the bill would raise the purchase age for alcohol to 20 but would allow 18-year-olds to drink in bars and other establishments.
Amendments cannot, however, be considered until the bill reaches the committee stages.
This may encourage some MPs opposed to the Gallagher bill but prepared to give further consideration to the Mapp proposal to vote for the second reading.
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor is also believed to be considering amendments, which might also ensure enough Labour MPs support the second reading.
Young Nats president Matthew Patterson said it made sense for the various youth wings of major parties to have a united front on the issue.
"There is a consensus that there is a drinking problem in this country but I don't think raising the drinking age to 20 is going to help solve that problem one bit," he said.
Young Labour spokesman Sonny Thomas said raising the drinking age was a kneejerk reaction. "If I can vote at 18, if I can be an MP at 18, if I can go to war and get a limb blown off, I should be able to have a drink at 18."
Several MPs feel the drinking culture is a problem but raising the age will not fix it.
How MP's would vote
Definitely 18:
Damien O'Connor
Georgina Beyer
Charles Chauvel
Moana Mackey
Sue Bradford
Nandor Tanczos
Keith Locke
Sue Kedgley
Metiria Turei
Clem Simich
Mark Blumsky
Bob Clarkson
Peter Dunne
Rodney Hide
Heather Roy
Paul Hutchison
Darren Hughes
Steve Chadwick
Probably 18:
Phil Goff
Darien Fenton
Simon Power
Katherine Rich
David Carter
Lockwood Smith
Richard Worth
Jackie Blue
Brian Connell
Ross Robertson
David Benson-Pope
Parekura Horomia
Jeanette Fitzsimons
David Bennett
Definitely 20:
Annette King
Clayton Cosgrove
Dover Samuels
Winnie Laban
Dianne Yates
Winston Peters
Peter Brown
Brian Donnelly
Ron Mark
Doug Woolerton
Barbara Stewart
Pita Paraone
Gordon Copeland
Jim Anderton
Tony Ryall
John Carter
Craig Foss
John Hayes
Martin Gallagher
Ashraf Choudhary
Probably 20:
Sue Moroney
Tariana Turia
Phil Heatley
Sandra Goudie
Eric Roy
Jonathon Coleman
Chris Tremain
Mita Ririnui
Shane Jones
Nick Smith
Prefers split drinking age:
Wayne Mapp
Judith Collins
John Key
Harry Duynhoven
Anne Tolley
Jacqui Dean
Lindsay Tisch
Colin King
Jo Goodhew
Chester Borrows
Marian Hobbs
Judith Tizard
Don't know yet:
Helen Clark
Steve Maharey
Trevor Mallard
Mark Burton
Ruth Dyson
Lianne Dalziel
Nanaia Mahuta
Mark Gosche
Margaret Wilson
Chris Carter
Ann Hartley
Te Ururoa Flavell
Don Brash
Dave Hereora
Tim Groser
Paula Bennett
Allan Peachey
Nicky Wagner
David Cunliffe
Chris Finlayson
Georgina TeHeuHeu
Hone Harawira
Bill English
Jill Pettis - no comment
Rick Barker - no comment
David Parker - no comment
Michael Cullen - no comment
Could not be contacted:
Pete Hodgson
Mahara Okeroa
Tim Barnett
Russell Fairbrother
Taito Phillip Field
George Hawkins
Lynne Pillay
Maryann Street
Paul Swain
Pita Sharples
Gerry Brownlee
Murray McCully
Maurice Williamson
Pansy Wong
Shane Ardern
Tau Henare
Chris Auchinvole
Nathan Guy
Kate Wilkinson
Judy Turner
