Key Takeaways
- Older Australians (50s and 60s) are more likely to exceed national health guidelines for alcohol consumption
- Men in their 60s (44%) and women in their 50s (28%) are among the most likely to drink at risky levels
- Exceeding national health guidelines can lead to a higher risk of alcohol-related disease and cancers
- Underage drinking has been declining over the past 20 years, but older drinkers are still taking risks
- Health advocates are calling for a ban on alcohol advertising during sporting events and stricter regulations on online ordering and delivery
Introduction to Risky Drinking Habits
Health-conscious Australians might be thinking twice about having that second or third beer, but not everyone is getting the message when it comes to alcohol and risky drinking. While many drinkers have been guilty of having one too many at times, it turns out older Australians are actually the biggest offenders when it comes to exceeding national health guidelines. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report showed people in their 50s (32.3 per cent) and 60s (33.2 per cent) were more likely to drink at levels that exceeded national guidelines, compared to the general population aged 14 and over (30.7 per cent).
The Risks of Excessive Drinking
The AIHW report highlighted Australia’s older population faced different circumstances compared to their younger counterparts, including chronic pain, health co-morbidities, and other challenges such as increased social isolation. Statistics show underage drinking has been on the decline for the past 20 years, but older drinkers are still taking risks when it comes to alcohol. Health authorities warn that drinking more than recommended levels can place people at higher risk of alcohol-related disease and cancers. An AIHW Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 shows the 60–84 year age group has a very high burden of disease due to alcohol use.
Personal Perspectives on Drinking Habits
Sydney woman Cathy, 66, said she was not surprised her generation was among those taking the biggest risks with their health when it came to drinking and assumed it was just as much of a cultural as an age and generational issue. While admitting to liking a drink herself, Cathy said her weekly total varied according to social events, but that she was also aware of the various health issues excessive drinking could cause. Cathy also said the advisable limits kept getting further reduced on medical grounds, which possibly caused confusion over what was considered a risky level of drinking.
Health and Harm Concerns
CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Ayla Chorley said the reality was that alcohol still caused significant harm across all age groups in Australia. "Younger people are drinking at harmful levels," Ms Chorley said. "The stats also don’t take into account broader harms." The industry is pushing the narrative that people are drinking less while targeting people with marketing on digital platforms. A recent pilot study by FARE found 14–17 year olds were targeted with one instance of gambling, six alcohol, and 24 junk food ads in one day.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
FARE has renewed calls for a complete ban on alcohol advertising during sporting events, as well as a two-hour delay between online ordering and delivery in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm. Online delivery, which spiked under lockdown, had made alcohol more easily accessible than ever, Ms Chorley said. "At a bar, there are checks in place for alcohol, but in the home, there are none. The marketing is going unchecked," she said. "There are checks in the store, but now your phone is effectively a bottle shop."
Shifting Drinking Habits
The alcohol industry is quick to point out Australians’ drinking habits have shifted, and younger people are taking fewer risks when it comes to consumption. The AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 shows levels of underage drinking have decreased over the past two decades. Those aged 14–17 who had consumed alcohol in the previous year dropped from 7 in 10 people in 2001 (69 per cent) to 3 in 10 (31 per cent) in 2022–2023. Alcohol Beverages Australia executive director Alistair Coe said his industry supported a culture of moderation and sustainability.
The Power of the Alcohol Lobby
FARE said it remained concerned about targeted marketing and the overall power of the alcohol lobby. It also accused the industry of taking advantage of Australians drinking more at home. A study from the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, funded by (FARE), found alcohol companies targeted people who drank the most, selling 36 per cent of products to 5 per cent of people, placing them at greater risk of harm. Ms Chorley said women had been relentlessly bombarded with marketing from the alcohol industry via online platforms since the COVID lockdowns.
Conclusion and Future Directions
DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan said he believed the majority of Australians were aware of the health risks when it came to excessive drinking. Mr Strahan also said that while risky drinking remained a problem among older Australians, many others were sticking to recommended health guidelines. DrinkWise conducted its own research, which showed 42 per cent of people who were cutting back had either switched to zero or lower-strength alcoholic options. As the conversation around alcohol consumption and health continues, it is essential to prioritize education, awareness, and evidence-based policies to reduce the risks associated with excessive drinking.