Alcohol is a prominent feature in the Government's Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry report.

Among the 40 recommendations is a suggestion that stronger action needs to be taken on alcohol and other drugs.

It includes a stricter regulatory approach to the sale and supply of alcohol.

University of Otago Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine Professor Doug Sellman says he is delighted to see that people are addressing alcohol's role.

He told Larry Williams alcohol has a huge impact on mental health.

"In terms of mental health, there is often a disconnect between what it is happening in people's lives that is associated with mental health problems."

Sellman says that there are many people who can drink alcohol in a low-risk manner, but we are on the brink of a social change similar to cigarettes.

"If we got better control of alcohol and heavy drinking in New Zealand, we would have a better country."

Other recommendations include reducing suicides, forming a mental health commission, and seeing drug use as a health issue.

Sellman says that alcohol is the most important drug, and that it would be a no brainer to decriminalise drugs.

LISTEN TO DOUG SELLMAN TALK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS ABOVE