More Alcohol, Fewer Cigarettes - Statistics NZ

Alcohol and Tobacco Available for Consumption: year ended December 1999

More Alcohol, Fewer Cigarettes

Statistics New Zealand figures released today show the volume of alcoholic beverage available for consumption in the December 1999 year was 2.0 per cent higher than in the December 1998 year.

This is the second year of increase following three years of decline.

Industry reports attribute the rise in 1999 to the changes in the liquor laws, celebrations associated with the new millennium and the America's Cup yachting event. Table wine, beer and spirit-based drinks have all shown increases in the December 1999 quarter.

The total volume of wine available for consumption increased by 8.0 per cent in the year to December 1999. The increase is the result of more wine being imported.

The volume of beer available for consumption rose during the December 1999 year by 0.5 per cent. Beer with an alcohol content over 4.35 per cent was the main contributor to the increase. Beer with an alcohol content between 2.5 and 4.35 per cent, which accounts for the majority of all beer made available for consumption, fell 1.3 per cent compared with the December 1998 year.

The volume of spirit-based drinks available for consumption rose 9.6 per cent between the December 1998 and 1999 years. This reflects the continued demand for ready-to-drink beverages, but at a reduced rate of growth from that experienced over the last two years.

During the year ended December 1999 the number of cigarettes made available for consumption fell 4.4 per cent to 3,119 million. The availability of cigarettes for consumption is at its lowest level since the series began in 1973. The volume of tobacco available for consumption fell 2.6 percent during the same period.

Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
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