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The Alcohol Toll - A National Disaster

Press Releases February 25 2008

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With 1 in 5 kids binge drinking we need urgent action to address Australia’s growing alcohol toll

A new report released today showing up to one in five teenagers are binge drinking clearly demonstrates the need for Family First’s tough laws to crack down on alcohol advertising.

“Family First wants to tackle our alcohol toll to help change our binge drinking culture to a healthy drinking culture,” Family First leader Steve Fielding said.

“The new report shows kids are at risk from binge drinking and action is needed.”

Family First’s Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2007 would require health information labels on all alcohol products. It would ensure all alcohol advertising is pre-approved by a government body, that television alcohol advertising runs after 9pm and that ads should not link drinking to personal, business, social, sporting, sexual or other success.

“As a nation we have tackled our road toll, our drug toll and our tobacco toll with success,” Senator Fielding said. “Now it is time to get tough on booze and tackle our alcohol toll.

“Alcohol kills three times more Australians than all illicit drugs combined.

“Family First’s Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2007 has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs for report by 18 June 2008, with public submissions due by March 20.”

The Australian National Council on Drugs report found:

• One in 10 or more than 30,000 15 year olds binge drink every week;
• One in 5 teenagers 16 and 17 years old binge drink every week;
• Almost half a million children live in a home where one adult binge drinks.