New figures show that 20 per cent of drinkers living outside major capital cities are more likely than those living in metropolitan areas - 14 per cent - to consume six or more standards drinks on a typical occasion.

Commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, the Annual Alcohol Poll 2019: Attitudes and Behaviours Report also reveals that people living outside major capital cities are more likely than those in metropolitan areas to be concerned about alcohol-related problems associated with excess drinking.

These concerns cover a broad range of areas including alcohol-related road traffic accidents, violence, crime, child abuse and neglect and harm to unborn babies from exposure in-utero to alcohol.

Releasing the poll, FARE chief executive Michael Thorn said it was not surprising that Australians were confused about the risks of alcohol when terms such as 'drink responsibly' and 'drink in moderation' were commonplace in alcohol marketing.

"It is well established that rural areas have disproportionately high levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm compared to metropolitan areas, and a recent study confirmed that Australia's heaviest drinkers are likely to be middle-aged men living outside major cities," he said.

"These risky drinking patterns are concerning when almost all Australian drinkers consider themselves to be a so-called 'responsible drinker'.

"This is even more acute in our regions, with the poll finding that drinkers living outside major capital cities are more likely to consider themselves a responsible drinker - 94 per cent compared to 84 per cent."

Mr Thorn says there was strong research showing alcohol harm increased with remoteness, with alcohol being the key factor in 30 per cent of fatal road crashes.

"It is time for governments to step up and give regional, rural and remote Australians the evidence- based health information they are seeking," he said.

Mark Diamond, the chief executive officer of the National Rural Health Alliance, was not surprised by the results of the poll, which he said was consistent his own organisation's findings.

Mr Diamond said the issue of alcohol consumption was part of a wider range of health concerns in regional areas, where there were often lower incomes and less employment opportunities and health care was often harder to access.

The Rural Health Alliance has found that people in rural areas smoke more and exercise less than those in the cities.

"There's often a bit of stoicism about not wanting to go to a doctor, but often in quite small towns there isn't a GP and people are faced with having to travel," Mr Diamond said.

Like Mr Diamond, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District's director of mental Health and drug and alcohol Robyn Manzie was also not surprised by the poll results.

"The findings are consistent with what we know of alcohol consumption in MLHD, which is higher than state average," Ms Manzie said.

"Anyone seeking help for their alcohol consumption should call Accessline on freecall 1800 800 944."