Adults in Scotland are drinking the equivalent of 46 bottles of vodka each in a year, a study has suggested.
The research was based on industry sales data analysed by NHS Health Scotland.
It said sales for the year to September 2009 averaged 12.2 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 18.
The Scottish government said the figure, which had remained static since 2005, was the equivalent of 537 pints or 130 bottles of wine per person.
The new figures come as the Scottish government pushes for a minimum price for alcohol to tackle the country's drink-related problems.
In total, 50.5 million litres of pure alcohol were sold in Scotland last year, enough for every drinker over the age of 18 to exceed the weekly consumption guidelines.
People in Scotland drank 25% more alcohol per head of population than individuals in England and Wales, the figures suggested.
In England and Wales, the total for the same period was 9.7 litres per person.
Average weekly sales for Scottish drinkers were 26.5 units per person over the age of 18, equivalent to about 11 pints of beer or three bottles of wine.
In England and Wales, the figure was 21.8, slightly higher than the recommended weekly maximum for a man.
She added: "All the evidence tells us that the big rise in Scottish alcohol consumption in recent decades is closely linked with the 70% drop in alcohol's relative cost.
"As a consequence, our country now faces an unprecedented burden from alcohol-related health problems, crime and lost economic productivity, which runs into billions and which we are all paying for.
"Currently there is nothing to stop supermarkets selling alcohol more cheaply than bottled water and that's why it's possible to exceed the weekly drinking guidelines for a man for less than £3.50."
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie MSP said: "I believe that alcohol abuse is the most important public health issue we face in Scotland today.
"We need to consider radical measures to reduce the level of problem drinking but minimum unit pricing is not the answer.
"The truth is that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon are promoting a scheme that will increase the profits of the supermarkets, but won't provide a single penny for more police officers or alcohol treatment.
"The challenge now is for us to come up with something better. That is why have created a commission under the chairmanship of Professor Sally Brown to consider ways of restricting cheap booze and tackling alcohol abuse."
Surely that is within the government guidelines or very close to it.
537/ 365 days in a year = 1.47 pints of beer per day on average.
That isn't excessive drinking.
537 pints ?Surely that is within the government guidelines or very close to it.537/ 365 days in a year = 1.47 pints of beer per day on average. That isn't excessive drinking.
it's not really that much averaged out. it's 23 units a week which is about one large glass of wine a day ;there's some evidence to suggest that this sort of moderate regular consumption may even have health benefits. the 46 bottles of vodka headline is a pretty foul bit of newsmongering, particularly as it's the same level of consumption as last year (in fact the last 4 years)
the problem is, of course, that there are probably a lot of teetotallers and occasional drinkers, which means there must be quite a few people really pulling their weight.
it's not really that much averaged out. it's 23 units a week which is about one large glass of wine a day ;there's some evidence to suggest that this sort of moderate regular consumption may even have health benefits. the 46 bottles of vodka headline
It said sales for the year to September 2009 averaged 12.2 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 18.
In England and Wales, the total for the same period was 9.7 litres per person.
People in Scotland drank 25% more alcohol per head of population than individuals in England and Wales, the figures suggested.
it's 20% not 25%.
Average weekly sales for Scottish drinkers were 26.5 units per person over the age of 18, equivalent to about 11 pints of beer or three bottles of wine.
again - wrong. 12.2 litres is 1220 units which is 23.5 units.
In England and Wales, the figure was 21.8, slightly higher than the recommended weekly maximum for a man
again wrong it's 18.7
inciddentally these figures don't make sense.It said sales for the year to September 2009 averaged 12.2 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 18.In England and Wales, the total for the same period was 9.7 litres per person.People in Scotl
if people want to drink too much let them its not the goverment or the nhs business
Sorry, who exactly is stopping them from doing this?
Or are you just begging for an excuse to throw in one of the standard batch of idiot's cliches.
No-one is preventing pi$$ soaked old alchies drinking themselves to an early grave. If you want to do that then you won't get a knock on the door from the police.
However, those responsible for the health service are suggesting that it might be a good idea to think about ways that encourage people not to be sad ba$tards who cannot function or get through a day without getting wasted. A perfectly reasonable think to say but not something that is ever going to stop alchies getting wasted and constantly pi$$ing themselves.
Fear not, if you fear that one day soon you will have to give up being constantly pi$$ed and waking up in your own urine and $hit, I am here to tell you that you won't.
unmatched yet again 17 Jan 11:31 typical of the british nanny stateif people want to drink too much let them its not the goverment or the nhs business Sorry, who exactly is stopping them from doing this?Or are you just begging for an excuse to thro
if people want to drink too much let them its not the goverment or the nhs business
Fear not, if you fear that one day soon you will have to give up being constantly pi$$ed and waking up in your own urine and $hit, I am here to tell you that you won't.
what a stupid pile of crap to come out with.
i am not an alchi i probably drink less than you.
my point was about the nanny state trying to run everybodys lives.
they suggest that prices should be put up to stop people drinking too much,why should i pay more for a drink if i want 1 just because some dogooder thinks too many people drink too much.
its the same with ciggies they put the prices up because they want to discourage people from smoking.why should i pay more for ciggies just because some jobsworth thinks we shouldnt smoke at all
Live Forever 17 Jan 12:00 unmatched yet again 17 Jan 11:31 typical of the british nanny stateif people want to drink too much let them its not the goverment or the nhs business Fear not, if you fear that one day soon you will have to give up being
The Magic Flea 17 Jan 12:08 christ. what is it about "on average" that you people don't understand? It is a shocking statistic.
TMF, if most people on a gambling exchange/forum had a basic understanding of maths/averages then alas exchanges would probably not exist.
The Magic Flea 17 Jan 12:08 christ. what is it about "on average" that you people don't understand? It is a shocking statistic.TMF, if most people on a gambling exchange/forum had a basic understanding of maths/averages then alas exchanges woul
If it were for every man woman and child, then it might be a concern. Since there are probably about 4 teetotallers in Scotland as a whole, A glass of wine a day for the others seems ok.
If it were for every man woman and child, then it might be a concern. Since there are probably about 4 teetotallers in Scotland as a whole, A glass of wine a day for the others seems ok.
The number of people in Scotland diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease has doubled in a decade. Information released to the Scots Tories in response to a parliamentary question, showed figures in some areas had trebled and even quadrupled.
Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said more had to be done to warn people of the dangers of drink.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has called for a united approach in changing attitudes to alcohol.
Scotland has the highest death rate from alcohol in the UK and the highest rate for liver cirrhosis in Europe.
The number of Scots diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease had doubled from 1,731 in 1996 to 3,541 last year, according to the figures.
from 2007Liver disease 'doubles in decade' The number of people in Scotland diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease has doubled in a decade. Information released to the Scots Tories in response to a parliamentary question, showed figures in some are
redbag 17 Jan 10:10 that accounts for some of wurs threads then
If only. If I could get it down to 46 bottles a year, my liver would be very grateful. I probably drink about 3X that amount.
redbag 17 Jan 10:10 that accounts for some of wurs threads then If only. If I could get it down to 46 bottles a year, my liver would be very grateful. I probably drink about 3X that amount.
a great victory for scotland. i was going to have a day off the booze but if we are to remain uk drinking champions then id better head down the pub and do my bit.
a great victory for scotland. i was going to have a day off the booze but if we are to remain uk drinking champions then id better head down the pub and do my bit.
She added: "All the evidence tells us that the big rise in Scottish alcohol consumption in recent decades is closely linked with the 70% drop in alcohol's relative cost.
said without actually giving any evidence.
She added: "All the evidence tells us that the big rise in Scottish alcohol consumption in recent decades is closely linked with the 70% drop in alcohol's relative cost.said without actually giving any evidence.
its the same with ciggies they put the prices up because they want to discourage people from smoking.why should i pay more for ciggies just because some jobsworth thinks we shouldnt smoke at all
Chancellor of the Exchequer = Jobsworth
:^0
its the same with ciggies they put the prices up because they want to discourage people from smoking.why should i pay more for ciggies just because some jobsworth thinks we shouldnt smoke at allChancellor of the Exchequer = Jobsworth:^0