HPA's Attitudes and Behaviour towards Alcohol Survey (ABAS) is an annual survey that monitors New Zealanders' behaviour and attitudes towards alcohol. This fact sheet reports on the type of alcoholic drinks consumed on the last drinking occasion involving two or more alcoholic drinks among adults aged 18-years and older from the 2013 ABAS.
Methodology
Respondents to the ABAS 2013 were asked about the last occasion they had two or more alcoholic drinks (referred to from now on as "the last drinking occasion"). Alcohol type consumed and risky alcohol consumption (defined as five to seven and eight or more alcoholic drinks consumed on the last occasion) were examined by gender, ethnicity, age group and household income. Multiple responses were permitted when respondents were asked about the type of alcohol they consumed on their last drinking occasion. The analysis for the number of alcoholic drinks consumed during, and the length of the drinking occasion was restricted to adult respondents (18-years and older) whose last drinking occasion was within three months (n=2,109). Only those group differences that were statistically significant (p < .05) are reported.
Key Results
• Overall, wine (52%) and beer (40%) were the most commonly consumed drinks on the last drinking occasion.
• The alcohol types consumed on the last occasion varied by age and gender. For all age groups, beer was more likely to be consumed by males. Wine and RTDs were more likely to be consumed by females. Younger adults were more likely to drink RTDs and spirits. In the middle age groups, beer became the most common drink among males and wine among females. As age increased both males and females were more likely to drink wine.