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A DECADE OF DRINKING: TEN-YEAR TRENDS IN DRINKING PATTERNS IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 1990-1999
 
Sally Casswell and Krishna Bhatta
Alcohol & Public Health Research Unit, May 2001

RESULTS
Changes in proportions who were drinkers and abstainers
Frequency of drinking
Quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion
Frequency of drinking larger amounts
Frequency of feeling drunk
Problems from own drinking
Problems from others' drinking
Concern about the drinking of others
Changes in drinking by the youngest group: 14 - 19 year olds
Drinking by age/gender groups
Aucklanders’ concern over current level of drinking
Drinkers’ reasons for drinking less
Drinker’s reasons for drinking more
Trends at drinking locations
Changes in attitude to and consumption of different beverages
Home production of alcohol
Economic Influences on Drinking

 

Changes in proportions who were drinkers and abstainers

A drinker is defined as someone who consumed alcohol in the previous 12 months.  The proportion of the sample (aged 14-65 years) who were drinkers reduced from 86% in 1990, to 82% in 1996 and returned to 85% in 1999 (Fig 1). 

Frequency of drinking 

The frequency of drinking by the whole sample (excluding abstainers) increased over the decade.  This increase in drinking frequency was, however, due to the increased percentage of better educated and higher income people in Auckland.  Once they were taken into account in the analysis there was no increase in frequency of drinking. There was a drop in drinking frequency from 1990 to 1992 (Fig 2).  The economic circumstances in Auckland in the beginning of the decade were such that the income of the middle and lower income groups dropped and unemployment increased.  Frequency of drinking seems to have been affected by the recession in the early 1990s. It climbed back up to 1990 levels by the middle 1990s, during the period of economic recovery.

Quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion 
 
As shown by the top line in figure 2, the quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion increased steadily between 1990 (average of 45 mls of absolute alcohol or 3 drinks) and 1998 (average of 64 mls or 4-5 drinks).  The quantity was increasing even when the frequency of drinking was declining in the first part of the decade.  
Frequency of drinking larger amounts
The frequency of drinking larger amounts (six or more drinks for men and four or more for women) increased over the decade although there was a decrease towards the end (Fig 3).

Frequency of feeling drunk

Respondents were also asked how often they drank enough to feel drunk (data collected since 1991).  These occasions increased over the decade despite a decline in 1998-1999 (Fig 3). 

Problems from own drinking

Both the numbers of different types of problems people experienced and total number of problems they reported increased over the decade.  Their reports were based on the 15 specific problem measures which ranged from relatively minor problems such as hangovers to more serious problems such as having car crashes and getting into fights (Fig 4).

 

 Problems from others' drinking

People were asked about the impact of others’ drinking on their lives.  An average of 19% of the sample reported a medium or large level of harm in at least one of three areas of their lives and this was stable across the decade. 

The proportion who had been physically assaulted by a drinker increased slightly over the decade; 8% reported such an assault in 1999.  There was also a slight increase in reports of sexual harassment over the decade; 8% reported harassment in 1999 (Fig 5).  This increase was particularly marked among women under 30 from 15% in 1990 to 20% in 1999.  There were no clear trends in the proportion reporting experiences of motor vehicle crashes (2.5%), injury or major damage (2.2%) as a result of other people’s drinking.

 

Concern about the drinking of others

Over the decade, fewer people said they had been seriously concerned about the drinking of friends, relatives or acquaintances in the past 12 months (Fig 6). This was true of both men and women under 30 and of women over 30.  Only the older men showed no change in levels of concern.

Changes in drinking by the youngest group: 14 - 19 year olds

The trend data for 14-19 year old drinkers were based on comparatively small sample sizes in each survey (about 120 on average). Nevertheless, a number of significant trends were found.  The proportion of 14-19 year olds (males and females combined) who were drinkers declined from 82% in 1990, to 66% in 1996, rising back up to 77% in 1999.  Figure 7 provides a comparison with the data for 20-65 year olds, for whom there was no change.

The frequency of drinking by 14-19 year olds (Fig 8) shows smaller effects from the economic recession in the first part of the decade than the older drinkers, but they also increased their drinking frequency during the economic recovery.  That is, an increase in frequency of drinking up to 1996, and a decline in frequency after 1996. 

The quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion increased more rapidly among youth drinkers than the older drinkers (Fig 9).  In 1990 14-19 year olds consumed an average of 3-4 drinks on a typical occasion, whereas in 1999 the average was 5-6 drinks.  This was largely due to increases among the 14-17 year olds whose average increased from 2-3 to 5-6 drinks.

The frequency of 14-19 year olds drinking larger quantities (6 or more drinks by men and 4 or more by women) also increased, particularly after 1993 (Fig 10).

Figure 11 shows that while drinkers of all ages were drinking enough to feel drunk more frequently in 1999 than they had been in 1992, the increase among 14-19 year olds was more marked than among older drinkers.  The number of problems experienced by drinkers in the youngest age group also increased over the decade.

Figure 12 shows the samples of 14 - 19 year olds over the decade in terms of the percentages who did not drink in the past 12 months (abstainers) and those drinking various numbers of drinks on a typical drinking occasion.  The data show the increase in the percentage of those drinking 6 or more drinks (12% in 1990 to 25% in 1999).  It also shows that the proportion of abstainers has fluctuated over the decade, but that even in times of relatively high abstention the percentage of the heavier drinkers in this youngest age group was trending upward. This measure is based on typical drinking quantity (not the question on frequency of drinking larger amounts.

Drinking by age/gender groups

The survey data has also been analysed to look for different trends in four demographic groups: men and women under 30 years and men and women 30 and over.

14 to 29 year old men

The men under 30 showed some of the same trends as those reported earlier for the youngest group, the 14-19 year old men and women combined.  This included a decline in the percentage who were drinkers.  Also, among the men under 30, the quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion increased from 4-5 drinks in 1990 to 5-6 drinks in 1999.  The frequency of drinking larger amounts (6 drinks or more), the frequency of feeling drunk and the number of problems also increased.  The frequency of all drinking occasions did not however change among the group of men under 30. 
 
Figure 13 shows the percentage of younger men drinking different typical quantities and those who abstained.  The percentage drinking 6 or more drinks on a typical drinking occasion increased from 21% to 29% over the decade.

14 to 29 year old women

Among the women under 30, the percentage who were drinkers was stable over the decade.  The typical quantity consumed increased from 3 drinks in 1990 to 4-5 drinks in 1999.  The frequency of drinking larger amounts, occasions of feeling drunk and number of problems also increased.  Unlike the men, this group of younger women also showed an increase in the frequency of drinking.  This was not attributable to a change in the educational status or income of younger women in the sample.
 
Figure 14 shows the percentage of younger women drinking different typical quantities and those who abstained.  The percentage drinking 6 or more drinks on a typical drinking occasion for this group increased from 7% to 14% over the decade.

The women under 30 also reported more sexual harassment by drinkers, which increased from 15% in 1990 to 20% in 1999.

30 to 65 year old men

Among the men over 30, the proportion who were drinkers was stable.  There were no significant changes among this age group in reporting of typical quantities consumed (an average of 3-4 drinks on a typical occasion), frequency of drinking larger amounts (6 or more drinks), frequency of drunkenness or number of problems resulting from their drinking.  There was also no increase in the frequency of drinking overall. 
 
Figure 15 shows the percentage of older men drinking different typical quantities and those who abstained. 

30 to 65 year old women

Among the women over 30 the percentage of drinkers was stable. The quantities that they consumed on a typical occasion increased, but only slightly, remaining at approximately 2 drinks throughout the decade.  The frequency of drinking enough to feel drunk and numbers of problems also increased.  There was no increase in frequency of drinking overall or the frequency of drinking larger amounts (4 or more drinks) on a drinking occasion.  
 
Figure 16 shows the percentage of older women drinking different typical quantities and those who abstained.  The percentage drinking 6 or more drinks on a typical drinking occasion for this group increased slightly from 1% to 3% over the decade.

Drinking by different occupational status groups

Figure 17 shows the percentage of drinkers in the higher and lower occupational groups (of those in paid employment) over the course of the 1990s.  The lower occupation group includes fewer drinkers and this proportion decreased over the decade.

Those in higher status occupations drank more often but the frequency of drinking showed no clear trends in either group throughout the decade (Fig 18). 

The lower status occupations, however, consumed more than the higher occupations on a typical drinking occasion.  For both occupation groups there was an increase in typical quantities consumed (Fig 19).   

Similarly, the lower status occupations reported relatively more occasions of ‘drinking enough to feel drunk’ but the frequency of such occasions have increased for both the lower and higher status occupations (Fig 20).   

The number of problems resulting from a respondent’s own drinking was closely related to typical quantity consumed and frequency of drunkenness, with the lower status occupations reporting both the highest number of problems and also an increase (Fig 21).

Aucklanders’ concern over current level of drinking

About 15% of the drinkers felt that they were ‘drinking more than they were happy with’ and this proportion did not change over the decade.

Drinkers’ reasons for drinking less

Each year about one third of the respondents said they were drinking less than in the previous year and there was no change in this over the decade.  For those who reported drinking less, reasons for the change were surveyed by obtaining responses to a list of possible reasons for drinking less.  The data showed some changes in the reasons given. 
 
‘Concern about being caught drinking and driving’, which was introduced into the list of possible reasons in 1992, had the highest level of mentions in 1993 - the time of the introduction of compulsory breath testing.  It has shown a significant decline thereafter.  The decline was more pronounced among the under 30 year old men (from 75% in 1993 to 44% in 1999), and under 30 year old women (from 52% to 38%) (Fig 22). 

Two of the offered reasons for drinking less were ‘having less money available to spend on alcohol’, and ‘alcohol being more expensive’.  The percentage of respondents who gave having less money as a reason declined over the decade.  This reason was most commonly given in 1991 (41%) and dropped to 23% by 1999.  The percentage of respondents giving ‘alcohol is more expensive now’ as a reason also declined over this period (Fig 23) (despite a slight increase in the real price of alcohol over this period, but in keeping with the economic recovery).

Other common reasons for drinking less showed no significant change over the surveys.  These included: ‘don’t like to drink and drive’ (70%), ‘concern about the effects on health’ (53%), ‘want to maintain or increase physical fitness’ (50%), ‘feel it is generally more acceptable to drink less’ (36%), and ‘limiting drinks for the sake of health’ (35%, introduced into the surveys 1994).

Drinker’s reasons for drinking more

About 18% of drinkers each year said they were drinking more than the year before. There was no change in this level over the decade.  ‘Availability of wine in supermarkets’ increased as a reason offered for drinking more from 4% in 1990 to 13% in 1999.  ‘Drinking more wine with meals’ also increased as a reason (24% to 30%) (Fig 24).

‘Because it is cheaper now’ (5% in 1990 and 15% in 1999) and ‘because it is good for my health’ (4% in 1990 and 12% 1999) also increased over time as reasons for drinking more.
 
Popular reasons for drinking more that did not show significant changes included: ‘alcohol now served at more of social occasions I attend’ (47%), ‘now more acceptable to drink alcohol in a wide range of places’ (29%), ‘drinking more wine at times other than meals’ (21%), ‘there are so many places serving alcohol that I enjoy drinking at’ (23%, introduced to the survey in 1994), ‘problems and stress in life’ (19%), and ‘range of places selling takeaway alcohol makes it easier to buy’ (19%, introduced in 1994).  Other reasons relevant to policy changes and which showed no change were ‘more licensed places where I can go to have a drink’ (12%); ‘more places that serve alcohol are open longer’ (15%, introduced 1994); ‘range of places selling takeaway alcohol makes it easier to buy’ (13%, introduced 1994); ‘takeaway alcohol more available when supplies have run out’ (15%, introduced 1994).

Trends at drinking locations

Over the decade a number of changes occurred in the popularity of drinking locations, either because more people drank there, or because people drank there more often.  The typical quantities reported for different locations also changed over time.
 
Drinking in one’s own home, already a common location, increased slightly in popularity from 90 % in 1990 to 91% in 1999. There was also an increase in the typical quantities drunk there from approximately 3 drinks per occasion in 1990 to between 3 and 4 drinks in 1999.
 
Other people’s homes were also a common venue for drinking.  While the percentage of people drinking there did not change from its level of around 88% over the decade, people drank there more often and also drank larger amounts.
 
There were also changes in drinking on licensed premises.  Increasing numbers of people drank in pubs and in nightclubs.  They also drank there more frequently and consumed larger quantities.  The percentage of people drinking in restaurants remained stable but people drank there more frequently as well.  People also drank more often at cafes, which became available as places to drink after the changes to the 1989 Sale of Liquor Act, and increased in popularity from the mid 1990s on (from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 1999). However, the quantities consumed decreased in both restaurants and cafes.  
 
Changes in the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 have also been reflected in drinking on domestic flights.  The proportion of people drinking on plane trips within New Zealand has increased from 3% in 1990, when it first became possible, to 14% in 1999 (Fig 25).  The frequency of drinking also increased as did the typical quantities consumed. 

 

The percentage of people drinking in private motor vehicles, while small, increased from 4% in 1990 to 6% in 1999.  Drinking in outdoor public places increased slightly over the decade.  In neither place did people drink there more often, but typical quantities increased in outdoor public places from 52mls in 1990 to 56mls in 1999.
 
Sports clubs decreased in popularity as drinking locations (from 25% in 1990 to 22% in 1999) and those drinking there did so less often.  The typical quantities consumed remained stable (an average of 4 drinks).  People also drank less often at sports events and at clubs such as RSA and Rotary.  Workplaces were another venue in which people drank less often (41% in 1990 and 36% in 1999).
 
The trends in popularity and patterns of drinking in particular locations differed between age and gender groups.
 
Increased numbers of men under 30 (whose consumption has increased over the decade) drank in nightclubs and fewer drank in restaurants and workplaces.  They drank more often in other people’s homes, nightclubs, and restaurants.  There was an increase in the quantities they typically consumed in their own homes, at other people’s homes, nightclubs and in outdoor public places.  The only decreases in frequency of drinking in this group was in sports clubs and the only venue in which typical quantities decreased was restaurants.
 
More women under 30 drank in nightclubs by the end of the decade and fewer drank in sportsclubs. They drank more often in nightclubs, restaurants, pubs, and at home.  Their typical quantities consumed at home, in nightclubs and pubs, and also in other people’s homes all increased but the quantities drunk in restaurants by this group decreased.  
 
Older men (30 and over) did not show increases in frequency or quantity of drinking overall but more of them drank in pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and on aeroplanes.  They drank more often in pubs and restaurants.  Fewer drank in sports clubs and they drank less often in workplaces and clubs such as RSA and Rotary.  The typical quantities consumed in their own homes and on aeroplanes, increased but decreased in sports clubs and in restaurants.
 
Among women 30 and over, more of them drank in pubs.  They drank more often in restaurants and pubs, and less often in sports clubs, at sports events and outdoors.  Typical quantities increased in pubs, their own homes, at other’s homes, at sports events and on domestic flights.
 
Of the group whose overall drinking showed the most marked increases (those aged 14 – 19), more drank in outdoor public places, and fewer of them drank in nightclubs and restaurants.  They drank more often in their own homes and in other people’s homes.  Figure 26 illustrates the increases in typical amounts drunk by the 14 – 19 year olds in the sample, in someone else’s home.  This contrasts with the much smaller increase among the other age groups.  The average number of drinks consumed on a typical drinking occasion in someone else’s home by this youngest group increased from 3-4 drinks in 1990 to 4-5 drinks in 1999.

Increases in typical amounts consumed by the 14–19 year olds also occurred in nightclubs, at home, in outdoor public places and in cars.  There was a marked increase in typical quantities consumed in nightclubs, particularly after 1994 when they rose to an average of 6-7 drinks on a typical visit in 1997, but have since declined (Fig 27).

Other locations in which the youngest drinkers reported fairly high typical quantities but without change over time were pubs: (5-6 drinks on a typical occasion), sportsclubs (4-5 drinks on a typical occasion) and sports events (4-5 drinks on a typical occasion). 

Changes in attitude to and consumption of different beverages

Over the decade there was an increase in the proportion of beer drinkers saying they were drinking less beer, both full strength and low alcohol, from 33% in 1990 to 38% in 1999.  This was consistent with the decline in beer available for consumption (from Statistics NZ data) that occurred in New Zealand over this period. 
Consumption of low alcohol beer was measured since 1993 and the proportions saying they were drinking more low alcohol beer decreased from 28% in 1993 to 10% in 1996.  The data on low alcohol beer available for consumption from Statistics NZ is consistent with this decline.
Among wine drinkers there was also an increase in those who said that they were drinking more wine than in the previous year.  This trend is consistent with national data on wine available for consumption in New Zealand. 
 
Respondents were asked whether different alcoholic beverages were a suitable drink for most times of the day.  Over the decade there was increased agreement that wine is a suitable drink for most times of the day (Fig 28).  This trend was stronger among women over 30, but was also apparent among men over 30.  There was no significant change in support for either beer or spirits as a suitable drink for most times of the day.  The acceptability of wine has now reached that of beer.  Almost one in three respondents think that wine and beer is appropriate at most times of the day. 

Home production of alcohol

The production of home brewed beer was monitored in surveys in 1990 and from 1993 to 1999.  There was a decrease in the proportion of people who brewed their own beer in the previous 12 months, from 5% in 1990 to 2% in 1999.  The proportion of those who had made up new batches at least 4 to 6 times a year decreased from 3% in 1990 to less than 1% in 1996 (Fig 29).

Economic Influences on Drinking

Figure 30 shows that the higher the income, the more likely a respondent is to be a drinker.  The highest income group had the highest percentage of drinkers and this proportion did not vary in the ten years between 1990 and 1999.  The changing economic circumstances in the early 1990s were reflected in the percentage of the middle income group who were drinkers.  The lower income group had the lowest proportion of drinkers, and this proportion did change over time.  The proportion of drinkers fell from 79% in 1990, to 70% in 1996.  The proportion then rose to 78% in 1999.  It appears therefore that both the middle and lower income groups responded to the decline in their real incomes in the first part of the decade by more people not having anything to drink.

Figure 31 shows that income and frequency of drinking are also related.  The higher the income, the more frequently alcohol was consumed.  Furthermore, Figure 31 suggests that the change in frequency of drinking, particularly the higher and middle income groups, followed the decline in their average incomes in the economic recession of the early 1990s. 

Quantity of drinking shows a different relationship with income compared with frequency, with much less difference between the different income groups (Fig 32).
 
All groups slightly increased their consumption over the decade.  

All of the income groups had experienced an increase in both the frequency of drinking enough to feel drunk and the number of problems experienced (Fig 33).


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