224 stubbies a year: Australians' alcohol consumption plunges to lowest since 1962
1962! In 1962, pubs still had to close at 6pm in Victoria and South Australia (not that this was a very successful anti-drinking policy). Drinking in Australia peaked more than 40 years ago and has fallen by 30 per cent in the years since. Beer has been the main casualty.
Beer has also been the main casualty in Britain where per capita consumption of alcohol peaked in 2004 and has fallen by 18 per cent in the years since. Alcohol consumption is now about the same in both countries at a little over nine litres per adult per annum.
None of this will appease the neo-temperance lobby, obviously, but I was amused to see this comment from Kypros Kypri, a professor at the University of Newcastle's School of Medicine and Public Health:
"The real puzzle for people like me is: Why are some indicators of harm continuing to increase while you've got these reductions in aggregate consumption?" he asked.
It's because the total consumption model is nonsense, mate. Therefore the whole population approach of alcohol control a waste of time. Always has been, always will be.
When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?
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