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Statistics on alcohol: 1978 onwards

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

This statistical bulletin presents information on alcohol use and misuse from a variety of sources.

Summary

  • In England in 1998, nearly two fifths (38%) of men had drunk more than 4 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week: around a fifth of women (20%) had drunk more than 3 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week.
  • In 1998, 20% of men had drunk more than 8 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week, and 8% of women had drunk more than 6 units.
  • In 1998, mean weekly alcohol consumption in England was 16.4 units for men and 6.4 units for women.
  • In 1998, 27% of men and 12% of women aged 16 and over had drunk more than 21 and 14 units a week respectively. Drinking at these levels among men has remained stable at about 27% over the previous 10 years: for women it has risen from 9% to 12% in the same period.
  • About a fifth (21%) of pupils aged 11-15 had drunk in the previous week in 1999, in England: no change since 1998.
  • It is estimated that in Great Britain in 1999 there were 16,830 casualties in traffic accidents involving illegal alcohol levels: 5% of all traffic accident casualties.

Any questions concerning the data in this publication, or requests for further information, should be addressed to:

Patsy Bailey (Room 437B)
Department of Health
Skipton House
80 London Road
London SE1 6LH
Tel. 020 7972 5551
Fax. 020 7972 5662

Extracts from this publication may be reproduced provided a reference to the source is given.

Print copies of this bulletin can be obtained from:

Department of Health
PO Box 777,
London SE1 6XH
Telephone 08701 555 455
Fax 01623 724 524
Email: doh@prologistics.co.uk

Contents
1. Introduction
2. Drinking amongst adults aged 16 and over
3. Drinking among young people aged 11-15
4. Alcohol released for home consumption
5. Health
6. Other indicators of alcohol related harm
7. Economics
8. Editorial notes
9. Further information

Annex A: Bibliography
Annex B: Technical notes
Annex C: Reference tables

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