Preventative Health Programmes
Benefit from Alcopops Revenue

The revenue resulting from increasing the tax on alcopops in Australia is being invested in preventative health programmes, including initiatives focusing on alcohol abuse, healthy eating and physical activity, and breastfeeding initiatives.

The money, A$872 million represents the single largest investment ever made by an Australian Government in preventative health.

The measures include:

Healthy Workers

Healthy living initiatives will be rolled out through workplaces. Employers will be assisted to implement programs to reduce the risk profiles of their workforces, including risks from excessive use of alcohol, through risk assessment and modification services.

Healthy Children

Programs targeted at children aged under 16 through child care centres, preschools, schools and families. Programs aimed at preventing alcohol abuse may be included.

Healthy Communities

Programs will be rolled out nationally through local government organisations in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.

Announcing the funding, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP Minister for Health and Ageing said:

“There is a looming tsunami of chronic diseases that threatens the sustainability of our health system. There are around 670,000 preventable hospital admissions every year. Without a significant investment in prevention, and an increased focus on keeping people well and out of hospital, our health system will suffer in the years to come.

There will also be investment in social marketing, to promote healthy living messages, including campaigns targeted at reducing obesity and smoking; and in health infrastructure, including a national preventative health agency and a preventative health research fund.”

The Government has already committed to A$53 million investment in the Australian National Binge Drinking Strategy, and the National Preventative Health Taskforce is canvassing a range of further options to tackle alcohol abuse in the community.