ADCA Media Release (27 January 2012): The planned sale of cut-price beer in ALDI supermarkets as featured in Sydney newspapers is totally irresponsible and will further add to alcohol harm with Australia says the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).

“When beer is on the shelves for a $1 or less a can, it is reasonable to assume that shoppers will jump at the opportunity to stock-up on supplies which can very easily lead to increased consumption,” ADCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Templeman said. 

“And have stores thought about check-out screening arrangements to ensure beer, and for that matter other low priced alcohol beverages, are not sold to people under the legal age limit? How will ALDI manage this?”

Mr Templeman said it was unbelievable that the New South Wales Casino, Liquor, Gaming and Control Authority had not heeded objections from New South Wales Health that super-cheap alcohol would only fuel the drinking culture.

“We can’t escape the fact that excessive drinking has in the past caused an increase in violence, accidents, and injury,” Mr Templeman said. “That’s why ADCA is asking supermarkets and other liquor outlets to consider the possible consequence of their marketing campaigns.

“We urge them, as well as the organisations responsible for the licence approval process, to move away from cut-price schemes to increase alcohol sales and consider ways to enhance the health and wellbeing of their customers.”

Mr Templeman said alcohol abuse continued to be a significant problem in Australia with an estimated 40 per cent of all people detained by police affected by alcohol.

“On average, 1500 hospitalisations each week occur because of alcohol, and the cost to the Australian community from alcohol-related harm is estimated to be more than $36 billion a year,” Mr Templeman said.

“This just can’t continue and ADCA calls on all Australians to make a resolution to change our drinking culture by saying ‘NO’ to alcohol marketing campaigns in a similar approach we took in the fight against tobacco marketing.

“Clearly ALDI cannot be regarded as a responsible supplier of alcohol products. Perhaps ALDI might rethink their pricing approach if they saw at first hand the daily carnage of alcohol harm.”

Media Enquiries: Brian Flanagan – ADCA Strategic Communications on 6215 9802 or 0400 860 058