Majority of Australians think nation has problem with alcohol

Date
    March 26, 2014


Almost four in five Australians think the nation has a problem with alcohol, and more than three quarters believe Australia's battle with the bottle will not get better over the next decade, according to new polling to be released on Wednesday.      

The poll of more than 1500 Australians, conducted in January by Galaxy Research for the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, shows 79 per cent of respondents said more needs to be done to tackle alcohol abuse, and 64 per cent said governments were not doing enough.      

The poll, which was taken shortly before NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell announced a package of measures to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, showed 88 per cent of people supported tougher penalties for people involved in drunken violence, while 87 per cent wanted a greater police presence in trouble spots and 81 per cent wanted earlier closing times for pubs, clubs and bars.

Seventy per cent of those surveyed said either they, a family member or friend had been the victim of alcohol-fuelled violence. More than two thirds of those surveyed support a ban on alcohol advertising on weekends before 8:30pm. Current regulations allow alcohol advertising at this time during coverage of live sporting events.


The annual poll also revealed some positive trends in drinking habits. The proportion of drinkers consuming only one or two standard drinks on a typical occasion was up from 47 per cent in 2013 to 55 per cent in the latest survey. The proportion of drinkers consuming three to five drinks on each occasion was 28 per cent, the lowest level since the poll was first taken in 2010.

The proportion of drinkers who say they drink to get drunk declined from 40 per cent in 2013 to 36 per cent this year.

"While we are seeing some positive behavioural shifts, the reality is that we still have too many Australians engaging in dangerous drinking practices," foundation chief executive Michael Thorn said.      

Almost half of the drinkers surveyed said they had vomited after drinking, while 22 per cent had driven a car, and 18 per cent had passed out.

Over a third of drinkers said they had consumed alcohol in a social setting because it was expected of them, despite not planning to drink.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/majority-of-australians-think-nation-has-problem-with-alcohol-20140326-35gv8.html#ixzz2x0zIn68R

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Also: almost 4 in 5 australians drink alcohol.

So if they think it's a problem, they could always.....uhh....well gee I dunno.  Better make some more laws or something, cos I can't see any other way.

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what?  Like the 6 o clock swill?

64 per cent said governments were not doing enough

What the hell is it with people these days wanting the government to hold everyone's hand?

FriYAY wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 9:12am:


we have had the worst lefty govt in charge for 6 years.
the public are used to hearing the "we will run your life on everything and everyone will be happy" dogma for a long time. It has sunk in and is appealling.
Hey, i'ld like that, if it were true.

social values are changing. it takes time for results to show.

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 8:24am:


Touche' 

Can't handle their booze.  A generation brought up via the Lefty orientated education system with no respect and basically carry on like pork chops after a glass and a half, (probaly because they have all sorts of other substances in their blood)
   

What will we do if the breweries close down due to high wages?

Now THAT would devastate the Australian beer drinking economy and the pensioner community all in one.

What would the unemployed do to salve their wounds?

What will the single mother sorority do to meet men?

What will outlaw bikie gangs do for entertainment?

What about graduating high school kids and uni students on their endless party?

The Sir Grappler Party pledges to introduce legislation that will guarantee that in the event of a major economic disaster to the brewing industry here - we WILL bail out the breweries!

It's the least we could do for Australia!   

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 12:21pm:


Stop whingeing and open a box of wine (proud Australian invention)