AMA welcomes passage of alcopops legislation

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today welcomed the approval of the alcopops tax by the Senate and said it should be followed by more comprehensive measures to combat binge drinking.

Tax office data has shown total spirits consumption has decreased since the tax was introduced.

“The AMA is a strong supporter of pricing measures to reduce harmful alcohol consumption,” Dr Pesce said.

“Making alcopops less affordable has helped reduce binge drinking by young people.

“It's time now to take the next step and establish a 'volumetric tax' on all alcohol beverages, so that the more alcohol a beverage contains, the higher the tax it attracts.”

Dr Pesce said the Federal Government should now implement a multi-faceted strategy of alcohol harm-reduction and prevention measures which addressed alcohol marketing, labelling, education, and early intervention.

“The Government should prohibit the targeted marketing of alcohol products to teenagers and adolescents, and ban the sponsorship of sporting events by alcohol manufacturers,” he said.

Dr Pesce said excessive drinking by young people posed immediate health risks and could lead to a pattern of misuse of alcohol and alcohol-related health problems later in life.

13 August 2009

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