The heaviest alcohol users are those who consume the most alcohol in the USA. According to the Washington Post the top 10% of alcohol users in the United States – 24 million adults over age 18 – consume, on average, 74 alcoholic beverages per week. This is even more concerning considering the increased alcohol sales reported due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.
Movendi International has previously reported about evidence that the alcohol industry’s major profits come from heavy alcohol users. Even though Big Alcohol prefers the talking point about “responsible” alcohol use and “moderation” – shifting the responsibility for alcohol harms to consumers in their campaign to oppose alcohol control, the facts clearly show that the alcohol industry is dependent on consumers with heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders.
Dr. Philip J. Cook’s study “Paying The Tab: The Costs and Benefits of Alcohol Control” further illustrates the evidence of how the alcohol industry benefits from heavy users. He explores how everyone is affected by alcohol by using data drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
Dr. Cook notes that according to the Pareto law the top 20% of buyers for most any consumer product account for fully 80% of sales. The principle shows how the minority owns the majority.
If the top decile somehow could be induced to curb their consumption level to that of the next lower group (the ninth decile), then total ethanol sales would fall by 60%,” said Dr. Philip J. Cook, author of Paying The Tab: The Costs and Benefits of Alcohol Control, as per Newsweek.
Dr. Philip J. Cook, professor of public policy and economics, Duke University and author of Paying The Tab: The Costs and Benefits of Alcohol Control
The situation is made worse in the United States with people hoarding alcohol at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to market research firm Nielsen, the week ending on March 21 saw a 55% spike in alcohol sales throughout the country. Evaluations of the question if alcohol consumption also rose with increased sales in the on-trade or whether people just stocked up for the future are still mixed. Some evidence shows that alcohol use increased while other examinations show it did not. The consumption pattern has however switched to increased alcohol consumption at home due to closure of bars, pubs and restaurants (the so-called off-trade). This trend is concerning as it could normalize the consumption of alcohol at home, in front of children and initiate children into alcohol even earlier than is already the case.
The weakening of alcohol control in the United States during the coronavirus crisis is making matters worse, fueling heavy use and related harm. Many states granted alcohol “essential” status. Other than the obvious policy ramifications this could give the wrong idea to people, especially youth and children, that this harmful depressant is essential for living.
