RTDs NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING

The Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) is concerned about the levels of underage drinking in our community. Alcohol is a product for adults to enjoy in moderation and use as a social tool, and not for children or young people under the legal drinking age.
  Underage drinking is not a new phenomenon, it is an age-old public issue that has been in existence for decades. While a number of young people are drinking alcohol at ‘risky’ or ‘high risk’ levels on a regular basis, most are not, and many do not drink at all. In 2001 the average age of initiation of young people to alcohol was 17.1 years of age.
  Parents have a role to play in dealing with the issue of underage drinking. Parents need to assist in the education process of discussing and addressing alcohol with their children in a similar way that they would with drugs and sex. Young people need to be educated on the responsibilities that are associated with drinking alcohol and how in moderation alcohol can be a very enjoyable social activity, but in excess can cause harm to yourself and others.
  It seems that parents are actually contributing to the incidence of underage drinking with a recent study on the NSW mid coast finding that 70% of alcohol consumed by young people was supplied to them by their parents. A recent study of existing alcohol research by Professor Ian McAllister from the Australian National University, noted that the ‘age of initiation into alcohol use shows no clear trend either in terms of younger or older initiation. If anything, the mean age of initiation among adults has increased rather than declined.’
  Of late, Ready to Drinks (RTDs) or mixed drinks have been blamed for increasing the incidence of underage drinking, particularly young women. However, RTDs are not a new product. The UDL, a popular drink today, was first produced in 1962.
  The industry’s opponents are trying to negatively portray RTDs as brightly coloured, sweet and attractive, so therefore targeted at minors. This is not true. The growing popularity of RTDs has been at the expense of bottled spirits and beer, and the figures show there has been no increase in the overall consumption of alcohol. Therefore, a growing number of adults including women prefer the taste, convenience and image of RTDs.
  All new RTD products are focus group tested on adults, so tastes, flavours and drink development is done to cater for adults and not young people. The industry cannot be blamed if these products happen to be attractive to underage people. These products are produced, aimed and marketed to adults over 18 years of age.
   Of all RTDs consumed in Australia, more than 65% are made from dark spirits (bourbon, rum, whisky), these products are preferred by over 24 year old males.
  RTDs are a responsible way to consume alcohol as they provide a pre-measured amount of alcohol, which discourages people from mixing their own drinks, (often very strongly), and they come in a convenient package and taste great.
  For the record, RTDs have the same alcohol strength as beer, and not double as quoted by a Member of Parliament at the Recent NSW Alcohol Summit. At this summit a recommendation was presented to allow for ‘wet rooms’ where underage people could go to have an alcoholic drink under supervision, this recommendation was strongly opposed by DSICA delegates.
  Further education of young people at schools and at home is required in addressing underage drinking, not increased regulation on alcohol products. DSICA will continue to work with governments and interest groups to ensure that alcohol is enjoyed in a responsible manner and not used and abused by young people.