Abstract
BackgroundDespite a complex and multi-faceted alcohol policy environment in Australia, there are few comprehensive reviews of national and state alcohol policies that assess their effectiveness and research support. In mapping the Australian alcohol policy domain and evaluating policy interventions in each of the core policy areas, this article provides a useful resource for researchers. The implications for protecting public health emanating from this mapping and evaluation of alcohol policy are also discussed.MethodsThis review considered data from: published primary research; alcohol legislation, strategies and alcohol-related press releases for all levels and jurisdictions of Australian government; international publications by prominent non-governmental organisations; and relevant grey literature. These were organised and evaluated using the established framework offered by Thomas Babor and colleagues.ResultsFindings indicated great variability in alcohol initiatives across Australia, many of which do not reflect what is currently considered to be evidence-based best practice.ConclusionsResearch showing increasing alcohol-related harms despite steady levels of consumption suggests a need to pursue alcohol policy initiatives that are supported by evidence of harm-reduction. Future initiatives should aim to increase existing alcohol controls in line with suggested best practice in order to protect public health in Australia.
Highlights
Despite a complex and multi-faceted alcohol policy environment in Australia, there are few comprehensive reviews of national and state alcohol policies that assess their effectiveness and research support
The price of alcohol in Australia is relatively high compared to other developed countries, this may be due to market conditions, high living costs, and the strong Australian dollar, rather than due to policy effects
Traditional cider, in contrast is subject to a valuebased Wine Equalisation Tax (WET; A New Tax System [Wine Equalisation Tax] Act 1999)
Summary
Despite a complex and multi-faceted alcohol policy environment in Australia, there are few comprehensive reviews of national and state alcohol policies that assess their effectiveness and research support. The implications for protecting public health emanating from this mapping and evaluation of alcohol policy are discussed. In Australia, recorded annual per capita alcohol consumption stands at 9.89 litres and alcohol accounts for a significant proportion of the total burden of disease and injury (3.3% in 2003) - second only to tobacco in terms as a preventable cause of drug related deaths and hospitalisation [2]. This article contributes to knowledge in three ways It maps the alcohol policy environment in Australia, providing a reference for alcohol researchers. It evaluates alcohol policy in Australia according to the Babor et al [7] framework for effective alcohol policies. Comparing and contrasting the findings with available evidence of best practice, it discusses the implications for future alcohol policy and protecting public health in Australia
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