Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants tighter alcohol regulation.

RNZ has obtained documents under the Official Information Act showing police estimate alcohol harm costs about 7.8 billion dollars a year, compared to $1.8 billion for illegal drugs.

Coster says measures should be considered, including only letting bottle stores open in day-time hours and charging more for alcohol.

Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway says these aren't new ideas.

"The Government have been presented with these recommendations by both the Law Commission in 2010 and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. So he's not wrong."

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