The Australian Government will consider a ‘minimum price’ law on alcohol, after a recent study by The University of Queensland found alarming statistics surrounding the success of the ‘alcopop’ tax, late last month.
The study, conducted on the Gold Coast over a four year period, found no significant reduction in binge drinking-related hospitalisation since the tax was first introduced in 2008.
Findings from the study were published last month in The Medical Journal of Australia.
The alcopop tax had promised a curb in irresponsible drinking among youth by increasing the price of liquor marketed towards under 30′s.
It is thought to have been unsuccessful due to affordable prices of lesser known liquor brands.
“Price is the most important single determinant of alcohol use and misuse,” said co-chair Professor Mike Daube of Curtin University.
With some cask wine retailing for less than soft drink, the Government’s desired affect from the tax was avoided by a change in consumer’s drink of choice.
The Government is now in discussions about a minimum price per litre system for liquor retailers, effectively quadrupling the cost of alcohol for Australians, with hopes that a curb in the misuse of alcohol will ensue.
Sophie Lane
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