Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), David Templeman, said today that the announcement by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, showed the Government and the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector is committed to implementing the National Binge Drinking strategy.

"Smirnoff Platinum is reported to be a beer-based product chemically altered to taste like an alcopop," Mr Templeman said. "This product takes advantage of the beer tax concession while targeting the youth market who consume other ready-to-drink (RTD) products."

Yesterday Minister Roxon announced that the RTD tax reform is working, citing data from the Australian Taxation Office showing a 10 per cent reduction in spirit sales since the reform's inception.

"We all witness the harmful effect that the misuse of alcohol can have on our communities, and ADCA is working at all levels to see these issues of critical importance addressed," Mr Templeman said. "Here we have a beer-based product being marketed as a vodka brand again targeting a young age group which is of great concern."

ADCA commends Minister Roxon's referral of this issue to the Australian Custom Service, and supports the Minister's call for the alcohol industry to work with the community, the AOD sector, and all levels of Government to reduce harmful alcohol consumption.

Mr Templeman said the responsibility for getting sensible and workable outcomes should be a shared responsibility of governments, the liquor industry and the wider community. The responsible approach taken by Lion Nathan and Fosters Group to reduce the alcohol content of their RTD's leads the way in addressing community concerns.  ADCA calls for the removal of Smirnoff Platinum from sale until this issue is resolved.

"The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's National Drug Strategy Household Survey shows females aged 12-15 are almost five times more likely to drink at harmful levels every week. The survey also reveals that this age group's drink of preference is RTD spirits. The move to avoid the RTD tax is a great cause for concern for ADCA and the AOD sector."

Mr Templeman said that ADCA will continue its support of the RTD tax reform, as well as advocating for volumetric taxation of alcohol and other reforms including, management of responsible drinking, product branding, outlet density, opening hours, and alcohol awareness projects for communities.

20 January 2009

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