17.12.13
Alcohol consumption falls – ONS
The proportion of people drinking alcohol has fallen since 2005, new statistics from the ONS suggest.
Between 2005 and 2012, the proportion of men who drank alcohol at least once in the week before being interviewed fell from 72% to 64%. For women the proportion fell from 57% to 52%.
The proportion of people who drank frequently – on at least five days in the week before they were interviewed – fell from 22% to 14% for men and from 13% to 9% for women.
Over-65s were the group most likely to have drunk frequently, but those aged 16-24 were still the age group most likely to drink heavily (more than 12 units for men and 9 units for women) at least once during the week.
Eric Appleby, chief executive of Alcohol Concern said: “Any reduction in the number of people drinking is welcome, however large numbers of men and women continue to drink regularly at levels which seriously risks their health.
“The reality is we’re facing historically high levels of health problems caused by alcohol misuse, with over a million alcohol related hospital admissions each year; and we’re one of the few European countries where liver disease is on the increase.
“Somewhere along the way the alcohol industry has convinced us that booze is the must have accompaniment to almost every social activity. But drinking too much, too often causes all sorts of health problems and we’re all paying the price for this.
“We have to tackle alcohol being sold at pocket money prices, its constant availability and the extensive and persuasive alcohol advertising we are all bombarded with everyday.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]