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| Scots rank high on drink levels | Scots rank high on drink levels |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the world, according to statistics analysed for the Scottish Government. | Scotland has the eighth-highest level of alcohol consumption in the world, according to statistics analysed for the Scottish Government. |
| Drinkers consumed almost 50 million litres of pure alcohol in 2007. | Drinkers consumed almost 50 million litres of pure alcohol in 2007. |
| People aged over 16 sank the equivalent of 11.8 litres of pure alcohol per person. The figure for England and Wales was 9.9 litres. | People aged over 16 sank the equivalent of 11.8 litres of pure alcohol per person. The figure for England and Wales was 9.9 litres. |
| Health Minister Shona Robison said the amounts consumed were linked to the availability of cheap alcohol. | Health Minister Shona Robison said the amounts consumed were linked to the availability of cheap alcohol. |
| Earlier this month, BBC Scotland learned alcohol-related cases had overtaken heart disease as a reason for hospital admissions. The sad knock-on of all this has been a huge rise in all types of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths Shona RobisonHealth Minister | Earlier this month, BBC Scotland learned alcohol-related cases had overtaken heart disease as a reason for hospital admissions. The sad knock-on of all this has been a huge rise in all types of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths Shona RobisonHealth Minister |
| Figures, compiled especially for the BBC, suggested alcohol was now one of the leading causes of admission to hospital. | Figures, compiled especially for the BBC, suggested alcohol was now one of the leading causes of admission to hospital. |
| For the Scottish Government study, analysts at the Neilsen Company looked at sales of alcohol. | For the Scottish Government study, analysts at the Neilsen Company looked at sales of alcohol. |
| The Scottish Government said the figure of 11.8 litres equalled 570 pints of 4% strength beer, nearly 500 pints of 5% lager, 42 bottles of vodka or 125 bottles of wine for each adult during the course of a year. | The Scottish Government said the figure of 11.8 litres equalled 570 pints of 4% strength beer, nearly 500 pints of 5% lager, 42 bottles of vodka or 125 bottles of wine for each adult during the course of a year. |
| It added that this was enough for every single adult to exceed the sensible drinking guidelines for men of 21 units every week of the year. | It added that this was enough for every single adult to exceed the sensible drinking guidelines for men of 21 units every week of the year. |
| Doctor explains the research findings | |
| Compared with the latest figures compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Scottish Government said this would place Scotland as having the eighth highest pure alcohol consumption level. | Compared with the latest figures compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Scottish Government said this would place Scotland as having the eighth highest pure alcohol consumption level. |
| This put the country behind Luxembourg (15.6 litres per capita), Ireland (13.7 litres), Hungary (13.6 litres), Moldova (13.2 litres), Czech Republic (13.0 litres), Croatia (12.3 litres) and Germany (12.0 litres). | This put the country behind Luxembourg (15.6 litres per capita), Ireland (13.7 litres), Hungary (13.6 litres), Moldova (13.2 litres), Czech Republic (13.0 litres), Croatia (12.3 litres) and Germany (12.0 litres). |
| But it put Scotland ahead of Russia - where alcohol-related deaths have cut the average life expectancy for men to 59 - and also the US and China. CONSUMPTION LEVELS Luxembourg - which tops the WHO league - has a pure alcohol consumption level of 15.6 litres per capitaRussia's consumption is 10.3 litres, while the US 8.6 litres | But it put Scotland ahead of Russia - where alcohol-related deaths have cut the average life expectancy for men to 59 - and also the US and China. CONSUMPTION LEVELS Luxembourg - which tops the WHO league - has a pure alcohol consumption level of 15.6 litres per capitaRussia's consumption is 10.3 litres, while the US 8.6 litres |
| Figures from the Office of National Statistics indicate that alcohol is nearly 70% more affordable now than in 1980, because although the price of alcohol has risen faster than retail prices generally, household income has risen much more quickly. | Figures from the Office of National Statistics indicate that alcohol is nearly 70% more affordable now than in 1980, because although the price of alcohol has risen faster than retail prices generally, household income has risen much more quickly. |
| Ms Robison said Scotland was worryingly close to the top of the international league table. | Ms Robison said Scotland was worryingly close to the top of the international league table. |
| She said: "Sales data from the alcohol industry itself indicates that we're buying and drinking much more than people in the other UK countries and most of the rest of the world. | She said: "Sales data from the alcohol industry itself indicates that we're buying and drinking much more than people in the other UK countries and most of the rest of the world. |
| "There can be little doubt that this is largely a consequence of the big fall in alcohol's relative price, which has dropped 70% since 1980." | "There can be little doubt that this is largely a consequence of the big fall in alcohol's relative price, which has dropped 70% since 1980." |
| Ms Robison added: "The sad knock-on of all this has been a huge rise in all types of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths, with Scotland's liver cirrhosis rate one of the fastest-growing worldwide and double that of England and Wales." | Ms Robison added: "The sad knock-on of all this has been a huge rise in all types of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths, with Scotland's liver cirrhosis rate one of the fastest-growing worldwide and double that of England and Wales." |
| The research coincided with the publication of a study that found almost 1,500 Scots were dying every year because of drink. | The research coincided with the publication of a study that found almost 1,500 Scots were dying every year because of drink. |
| Experts from Glasgow University and the Medical Research Council (MRC) found that on average 999 men in Scotland and 448 women die from alcohol-related causes every year. | Experts from Glasgow University and the Medical Research Council (MRC) found that on average 999 men in Scotland and 448 women die from alcohol-related causes every year. |
| Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said reducing the drink driving limit would reduce accidents on Scotland's roads. | Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said reducing the drink driving limit would reduce accidents on Scotland's roads. |