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Source: Reuters -
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There is concern at the increase in the amount of alcohol being consumed by New Zealanders.
Statistics New Zealand figures show the volume of alcohol available for consumption went up 3.4% in 2008, to 486.4 million litres.
Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Gerard Vaughan says not only are people drinking more, they're also binge-drinking.
He says a lot of people are recognising the problem, but they're not yet changing the way they drink.
Spirits and spirit-based drinks now make up 14.3% of the total alcoholic beverage available.
The proportion has been steadily increasing since 1996.
Vaughan says the trend is worrying since pre-mix drinks have become so popular with young people.
He says the taste of alcohol is masked, they are sweet and they are packaged to appeal to young people.
Vaughan says anti-binge drinking campaigns are working, but it's going to take time to change people's behaviour.