The Australian Bureau of Statistics released data today shows that while alcohol consumption per capita is steady, Australians are still drinking at 50-year lows.
“It’s really important that we understand the bigger picture at play here” says Andrew Wilsmore, CEO of Alcohol Beverages Australia. “The data still shows a long-term decline in consumption which means the vast majority of Australians are enjoying alcohol responsibly and in moderation.”
“The small rise in consumption of spirits reflects the growing number of boutique distilleries and cocktail bars which has led to increased choices for consumers. There has been significant innovation in this area in the last couple of years” says Wilsmore.
“While the mix of what people are drinking is changing, overall, we know from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that drinking at harmful levels and underage drinking is at record lows, and those statistics are more insightful than per capita figures.”
“A significant cultural shift has taken place, with the largest decline in figures coming from young people aged 18-24, who are drinking far less than any generation before them.”
“Australians are increasingly taking control of their own health and well-being and these statistics show that Australians can be trusted to do the right thing when it comes to moderate and responsible drinking” says Wilsmore.
ENDS
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