ATDC research: public polling on alcohol

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ATDC research reveals gaps in public understanding of alcohol risks 

In 2025, the ATDC conducted extensive polling of the Tasmanian population to gather research on the public knowledge and understanding surrounding alcohol use. This research revealed that almost half (45%) of the Tasmanian population are unaware of the link between alcohol overconsumption and cancer. 

The research also indicated that women are more likely than average to acknowledge the mental health and wellbeing risks of drinking, that people who are separated or divorced are less likely to be aware of the link, and that older (aged >70) Tasmanians are less likely to to agree that drinking while pregnant can harm unborn babies. 

Key findings are outlined in the media release below. 

Looking for more information?

If you’d like to explore the findings in greater detail, download the full research report at the bottom of this page. 

Raw data is available in spreadsheet form by request: email hello@atdc.org.au. 

Education needed around alcohol consumption and risk of cancer

Media Release: 18 August 2025
 
Just under half (45 per cent) of Tasmanians are unaware or deny the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing cancer, public polling research commissioned by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council Tasmania (ATDC) has revealed.
 
The research undertaken in May 2025 showed stark differences in the understanding of alcohol and the various risks it poses to individuals and the community.
 
When it comes to the links between alcohol consumption and mental health and wellbeing, the risk to unborn babies and the potential increase of accidents and injuries, the vast majority of the Tasmanian public understand the impact that alcohol can have – with more than 90 per cent of Tasmanians agreed that alcohol consumption is a risk factor in those areas.
 

However, when asking if alcohol can increase your risk of cancer, 27 per cent of Tasmanians indicated that they did not know, and a further 18 per cent disagreed with the statement.

ATDC CEO Dr Jackie Hallam said the research pointed to the fact that 45 per cent of Tasmanians (which equalled more than 200,000 people when you consider people older than 18) were uninformed about the research and evidence.

“This means that people consume alcohol without being literate on the health harms,” she said. “We know that education and awareness are vital triggers that precede behavioural change.”

Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai said that increasing awareness of the link was set to become increasingly important, with cancer diagnoses forecast to rise by 30 per cent over the next decade. “Currently, more than 11 Tasmanians a day are receiving a cancer diagnosis, and this figure is forecast to rise to almost 15 a day in just 10 years,” Ms Lai said.

“It’s a conservative prediction, that willresult in an additional 24 people per week, or an additional 1,100+ people per year who will be seeking cancer treatment on top of the existing numbers of Tasmanians already seeking treatment.”
 
Dr Hallam said it was timely that this information was introduced to the community at a time when the Tasmanian Government was considering Liquor Licensing reforms and were drafting a 20-year Preventive Health Strategy.
 
“There is a clear need for more information in the community about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and cancer,” she said.
 
“We strongly urge policy makers to see the opportunities in enacting public health responses to this gap in understanding.
 
“As we move through reforms to Liquor Act and the drafting of a 20-year Preventative Health Strategy there’s lots we can do.”
Ms Lai echoed this call to action, highlighting the importance of a proactive response.
 
“It’s critical that we work as a community to ensure alcohol stops being seen as a culturally acceptable health risk,” she said.
“With almost half of our cancer burden being attributable to modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, awareness and education is going to be critical to ensure Tasmanians understand the link between alcohol and cancer, and be empowered to make decisions to reduce their risk of a cancer diagnosis.
“Alcohol is an established Class 1 carcinogen, a known cause of cancer in humans, and has been linked to seven cancer types, including breast cancer.
 
“In addition to education and awareness campaigns, Cancer Council Tasmania has provided the Tasmanian Government with a broad range of recommendations to drive down alcohol-related harm, including restricting alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship of alcohol products and restricting the physical availability of alcohol in our community through strengthened liquor laws.”
 
Media Contact:
Nicolas Turner – mobile 0418 538 865 or nicolas.turner@corcomms.com.au
 
Available for Interview:
Jackie Hallam – CEO (ATDC): CEO@atdc.org.au
Alison Lai – CEO (Cancer Council Tasmania): alai@cancertas.org.au

Media Release

Read the full media release in PDF form.
download Media Release

Research Report

Explore all the data in PDF form.
Download Research report
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The ATDC gratefully acknowledges the financial and other support provided by the Tasmanian Department of Health, and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

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