Tuesday 7 December 2010

It's All In A Day's Work For The Mail

Panic!

By Jenny Hope
Last updated at 8:36 AM on 7th December 2010

Britain is the most boozy nation in the world, with more people drinking – and more regularly – than any other country, says a survey today.
Or not, as the case may be.

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:53 PM on 7th December 2010

Surprisingly British adults were not the biggest drinkers in Europe, consuming 19 pints of pure alcohol every year, which is the same as the EU average.

This is more than Germany, Greece and Italy but less than France who guzzle a whopping 22 pints and Spain who drink 20 pints.
Good grief.


12 comments:

SadButMadLad said...

Proof that you can say anything with statistics.

Neal Asher said...

Get rid of the tossers in charge and I'll be inclined to drink less.
That is, after I've finished celebrating.

Oldrightie said...

I'm with Mr Asher!

Dick Puddlecote said...

SBML: True, and an exhibit in how politicians can pass whatever crappy they like while still claiming it is 'evidence-based'. Of course, they could take our side and pick the evidence which supports our choices, but then they'd upset their fellow tax-sucking pals.

Dick Puddlecote said...

OR: Me too, I'd lay on a tab ;)

Leg-iron said...

Considering what I've just come home with, if I moved to Germany, Greece or Italy I could move the UK down that table a notch.

I wonder where they get their figures? If it's based on purchasing then it includes all the booze in wine cellars and whisky collections that hasn't actually been consumed. Like the racks of red wine I have here.

It also includes that bottle of cheap sherry I keep in case I'm ever visited by a sherry drinker.

If it's based on what people tell them, then they have to somehow account for lies.

Dr. Brian Oblivion said...

Why don't we get advance warnings before the exam? Bumping up the average before the test might leave more wiggle room for when the acceptable ranges are set in stone.

I don't drink regularly, but don't want that avenue closed off by yet another fake health crisis.

Why do people self medicate, and how can it be stopped?

Perhaps it's the most effective way for one to deal with the constant pressure waged daily by a paternalistic state nagging and nudging each of us to favor its demands over own.

People will abuse food, drink, drugs and even smoke when subjected to less intrusion and the freedom to make even unconventional choices.

I reject the idea that a 'public health' could ever exist that trumps an individual's right to the body and mind that make it unique and alive until it ceases to function.

The public health concept of denormalisation (and the old state hospital horrors) should prove how wholly unworthy the state is to even beg the question.

Sod off. No more skewed studies please. I'm taking my own body, my exclusive property, hostage as of now.

Mark Wadsworth said...

Bugger. I thought, we may have moved down the education league table but at least we're Number One in something.

I strongly suspected that it wasn't true (having looked all this up before) but hey, you don't have to go spoiling it for me.

Anonymous said...

19 pints of pure alcohol per year is 2.96 units (of 10ml) per day.

So, 3 units/day is the average.

Best regards

Neal Asher said...

Move to Crete, Leg-Iron. Every village has a couple of raki stills and if you're not given it you can buy it for about 3 Euros a litre, and the climate is such that growing tobacco is easy. Also the police are underpaid so generally stay in their stations sipping frappes and watching soap operas.

Anonymous said...

Yes, as Nigel says, 10.8 litres per year. Peaked around 13 in 2005, falling since, huge fall last year - largest since 1948. Almost down to the Swedish level of 9 point something. Difference is, a third of Sweden's is classed as unrecorded - smuggled or bootleg, because of the high prices charged by the State liquor stores. That could happen here. Eventually the public will cotton on that Alc. Cocern etc are lying about alcohol consumption.

Anonymous said...

Drinking moew regulalry? Do they mean more frequently? I have a glass of sherry at Christmas. That's regular.

George Speller