'Positive shift' as Aussies turn to zero-alcohol drinks over holidays

As festive season gets underway, new research shows Australians continue to pivot to low- or zero-alcohol drinks, as the national consumption shifts.

DrinkWise said 62 per cent of Australians aged 25 and over felt more empowered to choose to not drink alcohol compared to 10 years ago.

And they said 51 per cent of consumers drank – at least sometimes – zero-alcohol products, compared to 35 per cent in 2021.

People are more likely to drink low- and zero-alcohol drinks this holiday season. (Nine)

However – and relevant to the season – office parties tend to be the scene of heavier drinking.

DrinkWise said 35 per cent of people who drank at parties where employers were footing the bill tended to drink more than four standard drinks, compared to 23 per cent who exceeded that limit when paying for their own alcohol.

Nonetheless, 73 per cent of respondents said it was important for people to have access to zero- and low-alcoholic drinks, and 53 per cent said they wanted to cut back.

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“We continue to see positive shifts in attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol, with parties and celebrations the main occasion where people alternate between full and lower or zero strength alcohol (71 per cent),” DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan said.

“This demonstrates a growing awareness of the benefits of more responsible drinking habits.”