A report conducted by the Australian Liquor Stores Association (ALSA) and released this week, has found that that both “risky” drinking and alcohol related violence are down. The ‘Report into Australia’s Changing Drinking Habits: The facts about Australia’s alcohol usage’, finds that alcohol consumption has declined by 25 per cent since the 1970s, while alcohol-related violence has reduced by 30 per cent in the last six years.

The report links declining consumption with an increase in the number of Australians not drinking alcohol at all or drinking less, as well as the number of teenagers abstaining from alcohol until the legal age. ALSA says there has been a change in drinking culture and that there is clear evidence that the industry’s and Government’s commitment to more education around responsible drinking and enforcement strategies, is working. Additionally, the report finds that alcohol-related violence has decreased in a period when the number of packaged liquor licences has increased, debunking the misconception that there is a correlation between the number of liquor licences and alcohol-related violence.

“Contrary to public opinion, alcohol-related assaults in public places have been falling dramatically”, the report adds. “While the number of packaged liquor licences have increased, alcohol consumption hasn’t. In fact, alcohol consumption per capita has declined over the same period that liquor licences, including destination stores such as Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor, have increased. Consumers have benefited from increased competition and choice while overall consumption has continued to decline.”

To download the full report, including research on population data and consumption habits, visit www.alsa.com.au/alsacontent/research-analysis