Manual workers smoke more but drink less than professionals

While smoking is nearly twice as common among adults in routine and manual occupations as it is in managerial and professional groups, a higher proportion of top earners drink more frequently, and they are more likely than manual workers to exceed the recommended limits for daily consumption. These findings are set out in two publications from the Office for National Statistics.*

Other facts revealed on drinking habits in 2009 were:

In managerial and professional households, 41% of men exceeded 4 units and 35% of women exceeded 3 units on at least one day in the week before interview, compared to 34% of men and 23% of women in routine and manual households

In managerial and professional households, 23% of men and 15% of women drank heavily (more than 8 units for men, more than 6 units for women) on at least one day in the previous week, compared to 19% of men and 11% of women in routine and manual households

Average weekly consumption was similar in all age groups from 16 to 64 years but was much lower in the 65 and over group

Older age groups tended to drink more often than younger age groups. The proportions drinking on 5 or more days in the week before interview were: 4% (16-24 years), 10% (25-44), 18% (45-64) and 20% (65 and over). The proportions drinking every day in the previous week were: 1% (16-24 years), 4% (25-44), 10% (45-64) and 14% (65 and over)

When they did drink, however, young people were more likely to drink heavily than older people. Of those that drank alcohol in the week before interview, the proportions who drank heavily on at least one day were: 46% (16-24 years), 35% (25-44), 25% (45-64), 6% (65 and over)

* Smoking and Drinking among Adults, 2009 published by the Office for National Statistics Health Survey for England 2009, published by the NHS Information Centre