Advocates Warn ‘Big Alcohol’ Is Exploiting Children’s Data for Profit

The planned hike of the federal alcohol tax by 4.7 percent on April 1, as an annual adjustment based on inflation, is unfair and will harm Canadian producers and the hospitality industries, writes Anthony Furey. Motortion Films/Shutterstock

To mitigate the risks associated with alcohol use among minors, experts have proposed regulatory changes, such as banning alcohol advertising targeted at children and restricting the use of children’s data for marketing purposes. Experts told a Senate Committee on the impact of alcohol and drugs on the health of Australians.

Representatives highlighted that children are increasingly exposed to alcohol advertising on social media platforms, with no regulatory measures in place to prevent this.

Erin Lalor AM, CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, stressed on the need for immediate regulation on data collection of children or vulnerable groups by alcohol industry.

“There’ve been a number of reviews that have recommended limiting the use of children’s data there is nothing concrete this point in time that would see harmful industries like the alcohol industry being able to access children’s data, and we would argue, anyone’s data,” she said.

Additionally, the rise of online alcohol delivery services poses a significant risk to minors, as children are increasingly targeted by alcohol marketing.

Statistics on Alcohol Exposure

Lalor said alcohol remains a leading cause of disease and injury in Australia, contributing approximately $75 billion in social costs each year.

Dr. Elizabeth Moore, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, explained that alcohol is a non-specific carcinogen.

“It increases your rates of all of the common cancers,” she said.

Experts claimed that as per the current trend, once children reach the legal drinking age of 18, many are already primed for risky drinking behaviours.

Recent findings presented before the Senate Committee show a notable increase in alcohol consumption among young women aged 18 to 24, suggesting a concerning shift in previously established patterns.

This demographic is now consuming alcohol in significant amounts, narrowing the “gender gap” that once existed.

“There is no difference in illicit drug use between those two genders where there used to be,” Lalor said.

“By the time they hit 18, there’s a lot of work that’s being done by industry to get them ready to buy their product, and then very targeted marketing to start to convert them to customers.”

The Role of Marketing in Alcohol Consumption

Experts shared research that suggests exposure to zero-alcohol branding associated with well-known brands could influence children’s likelihood of future alcohol consumption. Lalor warned that marketing plays a crucial role in shaping young people’s drinking behaviours.

She highlighted that effective prevention programs are essential to delay alcohol initiation, allowing children’s brains more time to develop in a healthier environment.

“The earlier someone starts alcohol under the age of 18, the greater the risk that they will end up with alcohol dependence problems later in life,” she said.

Online Alcohol Delivery: A Regulatory Blind Spot

The expansion of online alcohol delivery through platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats has complicated traditional regulatory measures. Many bottle shops are reportedly allowing these services to use their licenses, circumventing established regulations intended to control alcohol distribution.

Advocates are concern by research indicating that online delivery services facilitate extended drinking sessions, especially among intoxicated individuals.

Robert Taylor, Policy and Engagement Manager at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, stated, “We have a licensing system for alcohol that was structured ... around brick and mortar premises, on and off premise licenses, but we now have a method of access and availability that undermines all of that.”

The rise of online alcohol delivery services has accelerated in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lalor added that now, every phone is a potential bottle shop.

Taylor said this shift bypasses many safeguards, including age verification and assessments of inebriation.

In response, advocates are urging reforms such as a “safety pause” for alcohol deliveries, which would delay orders for at least 30 minutes. This measure aims to mitigate the risk of intoxication and related incidents, such as domestic violence.

Current regulations fail to track essential data, including the identity of delivery personnel and the amounts of alcohol being delivered.

Taylor noted the lack of information surrounding alcohol deliveries, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

“The regulators in many of the states don’t know who’s delivering because of the way the systems are set up currently,” he said.

“We don’t know how much is being delivered, we don’t know who’s delivering, we don’t know where it’s going.”

Support Initiatives and Stigma

Initiatives like the “Path to Help” program provide anonymous online support for individuals seeking assistance outside of detox and rehab services. The program attracts over 220,000 visitors annually and offers resources based on risk profiles.

However, misconceptions about substance use hinder effective help-seeking behaviours.

Lalor noted that stigma and public perception can significantly delay individuals from seeking help.

“[The perception that] you don’t have an alcohol problem until you’re someone drinking alcohol from a brown paper bag in a dim part of the city—those sorts of stories really delay the help seeking behavior in the first place.”