Australian Alcohol Consumption: Trends and Guidelines Across Age Groups\n\nRecent reports indicate that older Australians demonstrate a higher likelihood of exceeding national alcohol consumption guidelines compared to younger demographics, despite a concurrent decline in underage drinking over the past two decades.\n\n#### Exceeding National Guidelines\n\nData from an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, "Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia," shows that individuals in their 50s (32.3 per cent) and 60s (33.2 per cent) were more prone to drinking at levels beyond national guidelines. This contrasts with 30.7 per cent of the general population aged 14 and over. Specifically, 28 per cent of women in their 50s and 44 per cent of men in their 60s were identified as exceeding these guidelines.\n\nNational health guidelines recommend that adults consume no more than 10 standard drinks per week and a maximum of four standard drinks on any single day.\n\nThe AIHW report attributed these patterns in older adults to factors such as chronic pain, existing health co-morbidities, and increased social isolation.\n\n#### Health Risks Associated with Alcohol Use\n\nHealth authorities indicate that consuming alcohol above recommended levels increases the risk of developing alcohol-related diseases and certain cancers. The AIHW's Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 identifies the 60–84 year age group as experiencing a significant burden of disease linked to alcohol use.\n\nOne 66-year-old individual in Sydney noted the observed trends among her generation, citing personal health considerations such as reflux as a reason for moderating her own alcohol intake. She also mentioned perceived changes in advisable consumption limits and raised concerns about the influence of the alcohol industry, government revenue from alcohol sales, and the reported links between alcohol consumption and issues like gambling, domestic violence, and mental health.\n\n#### Decline in Underage Drinking\n\nConversely, statistics indicate a sustained decline in underage drinking over the last 20 years. The AIHW's National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 reported that the proportion of 14–17 year olds who had consumed alcohol in the preceding year decreased from 69 per cent in 2001 to 31 per cent in 2022–2023.\n\n#### Industry and Advocacy Perspectives\n\nThe Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) asserts that alcohol continues to cause substantial harm across all age groups in Australia, including younger individuals who may drink at harmful levels. FARE highlighted concerns regarding alcohol industry marketing, particularly its digital targeting. A pilot study conducted by FARE indicated that 14–17 year olds encountered multiple advertisements for gambling, alcohol, and junk food within a single day. FARE also reported that one-sixth of young people had experienced alcohol-related harm from adults, with two-thirds of these incidents occurring within the home.\n\nFARE has advocated for a complete ban on alcohol advertising during sporting events and a mandatory two-hour delay between online alcohol ordering and delivery to mitigate alcohol-related harm. They noted that online delivery services, which saw increased use during lockdowns, have made alcohol more accessible.\n\nIn response, Alcohol Beverages Australia executive director Alistair Coe stated that the industry supports a culture of moderation and sustainability. He cited government data showing a shift towards more responsible drinking habits, with 77 per cent of Australians consuming alcohol. Coe also reiterated that risky drinking and underage drinking have significantly declined over the past two decades. He contended that convenience in ordering alcohol online does not equate to increased harm, emphasizing that the industry operates under strict codes of conduct and regulations governing service, advertising, and online sales.\n\nDrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan suggested that most Australians are aware of the health risks associated with excessive drinking. While acknowledging that risky drinking remains a concern among older Australians, he indicated that many adhere to recommended health guidelines. DrinkWise research showed that 42 per cent of individuals reducing their intake had switched to zero or lower-strength alcoholic options.\n\nDrinkWise also reported an overall decline in risky consumption across the population:\n* 32.3 per cent of Australians aged 18 and over reported risky drinking in 2022–23, down from 40.2 per cent in 2004.\n* 40.8 per cent of 18–24 year olds reported consuming more than four standard drinks in a single day at least monthly in 2022–23, a decrease from 56.9 per cent in 2004.\n* 23.6 per cent of individuals over 70 years reported consuming more than 10 standard drinks per week in 2022–23, down from 26.9 per cent in 2004.\n\nFARE reiterated its concerns about targeted marketing and the influence of the alcohol industry, stating that the industry capitalised on increased at-home drinking during COVID-19 lockdowns. A study funded by FARE, conducted by the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, found that alcohol companies sold 36 per cent of products to 5 per cent of individuals identified as the heaviest drinkers. FARE also highlighted marketing efforts specifically targeting women during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting messaging implied that women "deserved" a drink amidst stress.