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The rationale was that this targeted increase would reduce alcohol consumption among young people of both sexes10 given their preference for premixed spirits and spirits over other forms of alcohol.5

The effectiveness of this measure has been extensively debated.11 ,12 In particular, it is unclear whether young people reduced harmful consumption, absorbed the price increase or changed to other alcoholic drinks with no effect on alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol sales data reported a substantial fall in the sales of ready-to-drink beverages in the 3 months following introduction of the tax, with a smaller shift to other beverages (beer and spirits) and a net reduction in overall sales.13

However, sales data can be contradictory with reports from Europe that increasing the tax on alcopops did not influence total alcohol consumption when the price of other beverages remained unchanged.

Moreover, sales data reflect overall consumption, not the amount of risky drinking in certain population groups.14 ,15 Neither do they take into account changes in the alcohol content of drinks over time.16

Indicators of health outcomes, such as health service use, may therefore be more appropriate to assess the success of such policies.

An initial study of hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations in young people for alcohol-related incidents across Australia found no decrease in alcohol-related harms following the tax increase,17 while another restricted to New South Wales (NSW) reported a reduction.18

An initial study of hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations in young people for alcohol-related incidents across Australia found no decrease in alcohol-related harms following the tax increase,17 while another restricted to New South Wales (NSW) reported a reduction.18

An initial study of hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations in young people for alcohol-related incidents across Australia found no decrease in alcohol-related harms following the tax increase,17 while another restricted to New South Wales (NSW) reported a reduction.18

However, health outcomes in both studies were limited to blood alcohol levels, or to alcohol-attributable mental health conditions such as intoxication, dependence and abuse. These form the minority of alcohol-attributable conditions for which young people are admitted, unintentional and intentional injuries being the most common causes in both males (66%) and females (59%).