Evidence on the nature and extent of alcohol promotion and the consequences for young people's alcohol consumption Alcohol consumption is a ubiquitous and widely accepted part of Australian life. It is commonly consumed at social occasions, during recreational activities, and at cultural ceremonies. In 2014-2015, over 80% of the adult population in Australia reported consuming alcohol in the past year. Drinking in large quantities is seen as a rite of passage to adulthood, and this is reflected in the large increase in alcohol consumption with attainment of the legal age to purchase alcohol. Furthermore, the production and consumption of alcohol are major contributors to the Australian economy (Richardson, 2012). However, alcohol is “no ordinary commodity “and a large body of evidence now demonstrates that alcohol consumption imposes a significant health and social burden on Australian society. For complete report Click here for PDF