European Union: alcohol consumption
stable, binge drinking common, large
majority support policies to reduce harm
Alcohol consumption in the European Union is at a similar level to four years ago, according to the findings of the latest Eurobarometer survey. Three out of four respondents said they consumed alcoholic drinks up to three times a week. Young people aged 15-24 years were more likely than older age groups to have five or more drinks at a time, and frequent binge drinking is widespread across the EU. Awareness of specific health risks related to alcohol varies. There is high awareness that harmful consumption is linked to liver diseases but low awareness that it also causes cancer.
The Special Eurobarometer survey on alcohol was carried out in October 2009 with 27,000 respondents. Questions on drinking patterns and attitudes towards alcohol policies monitored trends from a similar survey in 2006. Awareness of alcohol-related risks was measured for the first time in this type of survey across the EU.
Key findings:
Wide support for measures to reduce alcohol-related harm:
There is wide support for public policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. A clear majority (89% in favour) support an 18-year age limit for selling and serving alcoholic beverages across the EU. There is also strong endorsement for action against drink-driving, such as random checks by the police (83% in favour) and a lowered blood alcohol limit for young drivers (73% in favour). Compared with 2006, there is evidence of a slight increase in the number of EU citizens favouring health warning labels on containers of alcohol.
Binge drinking widespread across the EU:
Binge drinking affects all ages but young people aged 15-24 years are the most likely to binge drink every week (where “binge drinking” is defined as five drinks or more on any one occasion). This puts younger people at a greater risk of adverse effects related to intoxication, such as accidental injuries, fights and violence. Binge drinking is not confined to any particular region. Percentages above the EU average (29%) are found in Ireland, Romania, Germany and Austria, followed by the UK, Spain, Greece and Italy.
Daily drinking among the 55+ age group suggests chronic disease risk in an ageing population:
Those aged 55 years or more are far more likely than young people to drink daily. Regular drinking among older age groups could lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases in an ageing population.
Drivers minimise risks of alcohol:
The majority of Europeans consider driving under the influence of alcohol to be risky but 14% would drive after more than two drinks in two hours. Such an amount would result in a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit in most EU countries. More than half (62%) consider that one should not drive after two drinks in two hours. A considerable proportion (15%) thinks that not drinking at all if you intend to drive is the safest option.
Speaking for Eurocare, Mariann Skar welcomed the findings in the report and said that “although the results of the survey show that there is still much work that needs to be done, we are pleased to see also that the European citizens support the adoption of public health policies aimed at reducing alcohol related harm, such as drink driving countermeasures, measures to reduce underage drinking, including a ban on advertising targeting minors, or measures to inform consumers of the health hazards of alcohol consumption”.
An indicator of the current burden of alcohol related disease in the EU is provided by recent figures of mortality from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, often taken as a proxy of the overall health burden from alcohol. Of particular note is the high mortality rate from this cause in the EU-12, the newer member countries of the EU, and the relative decline in the EU-15, including France and Italy which, historically, had high death rates from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. This decline is, of course, consistent with the decline in per capita alcohol consumption in France and Italy.