ABA welcomes the latest updates in the Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Report shared by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), which shows continued positive trends associated with Australians’ alcohol consumption.
“Despite perceptions driven by anti-alcohol activists that harms are rising, Australians should be giving themselves a congratulatory slap on the back by the AIHW findings that show responsible drinking is the new cultural norm in Australia,” ABA CEO Andrew Wilsmore said.
“Australians enjoying a beer, wine or spirits are doing so at 50 years lows with fewer people drinking at lifetime levels of harm.
“Our youngest generation is setting out to be the most responsible yet with 72 per cent of 14-17-year-olds never consuming alcohol, a substantial increase from 32 per cent just 20 years ago. While our industry can’t take full credit for this change, it is a real testament to the efforts of DrinkWise, the ABAC Scheme, and our retailers ID25 and Don’t Buy For Them initiatives.
“This changing drinking culture has seen our industry innovate with new zero or low-alcohol products, more health-conscious offerings, and a growing number of high-value premium drinks as Australians increasingly look for something special to enjoy in moderation.”
See our previous media release on this topic here.