Australia is one of many countries taking aim at so-called “alcopops”, pre-mixed alcoholic drinks that tend to resemble sodas. Australia, like Germany before it, has imposed a tax increase on alcopops in an effort to decrease dangerous underage drinking. It is believed that underage drinkers tend to purchase more alcopops than older drinkers because of the low price, flavors and packaging.
Has it helped? It depends on who you ask.
The Distilled Spirits Industry Council (DSIC) says that the increase in tax on alcopops has led to increases in dangerous drinking. Specifically, the DSIC cites figures that show that sales of alcopops have fallen by almost 40% since the tax increase took effect last month. That would be good, right? However, in that same time, sales of bottles of pure spirits have increased by about 20%.
In other words, more people are probably mixing their own drinks. This worries some who are concerned that those mixing the drinks are not aware of the alcohol content in mixed drinks. This could mean that people are drinking more alcohol than they planned to drink.
However, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says figures show that the tax increase is achieving its aim of curbing binge drinking among young people: “Consumption of the products that are targeted and [are] particularly attractive to young people [has] dropped dramatically.”
What do you think? Is this just exchanging one bad behavior for another? Would this work in the US?
(Image: Newscom)
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