Full strength spirits 'targeted at young people'
Posted
A peak drug and alcohol research centre says there is evidence that liquor stores are heavily marketing full strength spirits to young people.
Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia director Paul Dillon says liquor companies continue to complain about the excise tax increase on pre-mixed drinks, or alcopops.
He says alcohol companies are pointing to an increase in spirit sales to say the tax is not curbing binge-drinking.
But he says the real reason for any increased sales is that shops are promoting full strength drinks at discounted prices.
"This is new, we haven't seen this before," he said.
"And when we're being told that increased spirit sales, if that is the case, are due to the new taxation, I think its quite disgusting if the public isn't told the whole story," he said.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) denies there is a marketing strategy to push the sale of full-strength spirits in the wake of the higher tax on alcopops.
AHA chief executive Sally Fielke says the shift to spirits is purely consumer-driven.
"This is market driven. The industry will always cater to the consumer demand and this is consumer driven and its predominantly based on price," she said.
"Consumers are going to where they recognise value for money and in these times where we're looking at high petrol prices, increasing interest rates, and people are tightening their belts, the consumer is very conscious of the dollar."
