Pandemic driving us to drink
MOTHERS are turning to the bottle to help them cope with the pressures of the pandemic lockdown, new figures show.
Men worrying about job losses and women caring for children reported increases in drinking levels compared to two years ago, an Australian National University study found.
Stress has also led one in four women to drink more on a regular basis while boredom prompted one in five men to do the same.
The study of more than 3000 Australian adults found high-frequency drinking among women — three or more days a week — increased from 16 per cent to 21 per cent. In men it rose from 30 per cent to 33 per cent.
Co-author Professor Nicholas Biddle, from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, said there was a “substantial change over a relatively short period of time”.
The study found 67 per cent of men and 63 per cent of women said the main reason for drinking more was spending more time at home.
But women and men cited other different reasons for increasing their alcohol intake.
“For males a strong predictor for increased drinking was because of a loss of job or decline in working hours. For females a strong predictor for increased drinking was having a child-caring role,” Professor Biddle said.
And for both sexes, but particularly males, psychological distress was also a key driver,” Professor Biddle said.
CONFUSION reigns over whether small wine bars can open without risking a fine, with authorities unable to clarify if a cheese platter is considered a meal.
Point Lonsdale wine bar Noble Rot did not open over the long weekend despite social distancing regulations being eased, on the understanding it could only legally serve alcohol with prepared meals.
Owner Trish Berry said regulations were confusing and hard to understand.
Ms Berry said the venue could only hold up to 12 patrons under social distancing regulations, meaning it would not be viable to hire a chef to cook for such small numbers.
“We don’t want to do the wrong thing or risk receiving a fine,” he said.
“I think this has shown there needs to be clarification as what does constitute a meal.
“At the moment it is very confusing and open to interpretation.”
Under State Government guidelines, published on Business Victoria, alcohol can only be served with a meal, not simply a snack.
But the Australian Hotels Association said a snack was pre-packaged food, such as a packet of chips, while a cheese or charcuterie board was substantial enough to be considered a meal.
18th Amendment cocktail bar owner Gorge Camorra will open on Friday under a ticketed system where guests will be allocated to seats and served cheese boards with drinks.
Mr Camorra said “really confusing” regulations prevented him opening at the weekend.
But he said after speaking to other industry representatives he was confident the bar could serve cheese and meet the guidelines.
“The thought of getting a fine is scary for us,” he said.
A DHHS spokesman did not answer specific questions in relations to cheese platters, but said venues must use “common sense”.