Just released figures from Statistics New Zealand show that the amount of alcohol available per person is the third lowest in the last 17 years and 8.5 percent below the recent peak in 2010. “The figures to the year ended December 2017 show that, on average, there were about two standard drinks available to consumers per day – down on previous years,” said Spirits New Zealand Chief Executive, Robert Brewer.

“This is in spite of an increase in the alcohol available for consumption for the last quarter of last year – which is hardly surprising given the hot summer we have all enjoyed,” he said. The Statistics New Zealand numbers also show that the total volume available changed very little last year.

“We know that younger consumers, in particular, are drinking less overall and are making safer drinking choices,” said Mr Brewer.

“In fact Ministry of Health data released in November last year shows an almost 5% drop in hazardous consumption for 18 – 25 year olds compared with the previous year and that the overall rate of hazardous consumption fell from 20.8% to 19.5% for the same period,” he said. Mr Brewer said that although more and more younger consumers were choosing to drink moderately and responsibly the real challenge was to ensure this trend not only continued but accelerated.

“This can only be achieved by targeted programmes which understand and amplify the reasons why younger drinkers are choosing to drink better. The industry-funded social change charity Cheers! is actively engaged in doing just this.

“The overall message is pretty clear - to be healthy we have to eat well, stay active and – if we choose to drink – drink moderately.”

ENDS

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