Industry relies on heavy drinkers

If Australians read what it says on the bottle and didn't drink to excess, the beer and wine industry would lose half its sales, figures showed recently.

Market research firm Roy Morgan said the 17% of those who ignored government warnings to drink no more than three glasses of beer or two glasses of wine a day account for a whopping 53% of sales.

"The industry says it wants people drinking safely, but the statistics tell us that the industry would lose out if everyone drank according to the guidelines; it would lose a lot," Australian Drug Foundation director Geoff Monro said.

"The alcohol industry's aim must be to sell more product, where the health field is aiming to reduce consumption." - (Sapa, January 2010)