The drinking habits of youth in NSW, Australia: latest data and influencing factors

The New South Wales School Students Health Behaviours Survey (2014) reported a substantial reduction in students aged 12–17 years reporting that they had ever consumed alcohol, from 82.7% in 2005 to 65.1% in 2014. Similar downward trends are reported nationally and internationally. Although overall consumption is declining, national recommendations maintain that it is safest for young people to not drink at all; however, 17% of all young people in Australia consumed alcohol in the past 7 days, with 6% consuming at a significant risk of harm. The factors that influence young people’s uptake of alcohol are complex, including biological and broader social factors. This paper identifies some of the diverse influences on young people’s alcohol consumption, and policies and programs that support healthy behaviours.&nbsp