National Binge Drinking Strategy
The National Binge Drinking Strategy (NBDS) aims to address Australia's harmful binge drinking culture, especially among young people. The strategy focuses on raising awareness of the short and long-term impacts of harmful or ‘risky’ drinking among young people, and over time, contribute to the development of a more responsible drinking culture within Australian society.
Background
In March 2008, the Australian Government committed $53.5 million to the NBDS over four years. The 2010-11 Federal Budget included $50 million for three additional elements of the NBDS which comprised of:- $25 million over four years for a Community Sponsorship Fund that provides an alternative to alcohol sponsorship for community sporting and cultural organisations
- $20 million over four years for Community Level Initiatives (CLI) against binge drinking
- $5 million over four year for the enhancement of Telephone Counselling Helplines and possible extension of the NBDS social marketing campaign
Community Sponsorship Fund
The Community Sponsorship Fund has four objectives:- reduce the exposure of young people and children to alcohol imagery and branding
- reduce the links between alcohol and sporting and cultural activities that young people are often involved in, and to provide support for community-based organisations to educate their members about responsible drinking
- provide support for community-based organisations to provide alcohol-free environments for minors
- reduce harmful consumption of alcohol through appropriate responsible service of alcohol provisions at sporting and cultural events.
Through the Community Sponsorship Fund, the Australian Government has provided sponsorships to key sporting organisations which serve as an alternative to alcohol sponsorship. This allows sports to provide environments that are not only free from alcohol promotion, but also actively promote positive, anti-binge drinking messaging.
The sports involved are:
- Football Federation Australia
- Basketball Australia
- Netball Australia
- Swimming Australia
- Surfing Australia
- Cycling Australia
- Hockey Australia
- Athletics Australia
- Skateboarding Australia
- Volleyball Australia
- Equestrian Australia
- Triathlon Australia
- Australian Canoeing
- Australian University Sport
- Australian Baseball League
The sport sponsorships reflect the important influence that many Australian sporting heroes have as role models for young Australians, including aspiring young sporting participants.
These sports allow the Australian Government to reach a significant portion of sporting participants in the 15 to 24 age group, with around one million young Australians participating in these sports, and many more involved indirectly through family, community and spectator participation.
Be the Influence – Tackling Binge Drinking messaging is active in sporting environments with uniform branding, in-venue advertising, video messaging on screen at events as well as public announcements. The messaging also reaches young Australians through the sporting communications such as newsletters, direct mail emails, and social media.
To further promote this positive message athlete ambassadors are providing credible and positive voices by promoting the Be the Influence – Tackling Binge Drinking messages.
These sponsorship arrangements have been welcomed by these key sports, and they do not affect pourage rights or the licensing, availability and service of alcohol at sporting venues, which are covered by State and Territory Government legislation and include responsible service of alcohol practices.
Visit: www.tacklingbingedrinking.gov.au for more information
Page currency, Latest update: 15 February, 2013