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Australia’s Alcohol Consumption Hits Lowest Level in 55-Years
Increased awareness of the health impact from excessive drinking has contributed to the decline
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In a land renowned for its love affair with beer, alcohol consumption has fallen to the lowest level in more than half a century amid increased awareness of the health impact from excessive drinking. A total of 186 million liters (49 million gallons) of pure alcohol was drunk in 2016-17, or the equivalent of 9.4 liters per person, the lowest since 1961-62, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While the heaviest drinkers may not be cutting back, younger Australians are waiting longer before having their first drink, said Maree Teesson, a professor at the University of New South Wales Faculty of Medicine in Sydney.