§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each age cohort drank alcohol at least once each week, for each of the last five years, by gender. [38775]
§ Mr. BowisThe available information is shown in the table.
Percentage of people drinking alcohol at least once a week by sex and age Percentage Age groups 16 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 and over Males 1990 76 80 77 67 1992 76 78 76 67 Females 1990 56 59 55 46 1992 58 58 57 43 Notes:
1. Percentages are rounded to nearest whole figure.
2. The General Household Survey collects data in alternate years only. The latest year for which data is available is 1992.
Sources:
General Household Surveys 1990 and 1992 (Office of Populations, Censuses and Surveys—analysis by Department of Health).
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost to the NHS of alcohol-related patient episodes, for each of the last five years. [38777]
§ Mr. MaloneThere is no generally accepted method of producing such estimates.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each age cohort drank more than the recommended amount of alcohol per week, for each of the last five years, by gender. [38776]
§ Mr. BowisThe available information is given in the table.
679W
Percentage of the population aged 16 and above drinking above recommended sensible level: England 1990 to 1992: Percentage Age Groups 16 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 and over Total Males 1990 32 33 26 14 27 1992 33 30 24 15 26
Percentage of the population aged 16 and above drinking above recommended sensible level: England 1990 to 1992: Percentage Age Groups 16 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 64 65 and over Total Females 1990 17 13 10 5 11 1992 17 14 12 5 12 Notes:
1. Percentages are rounded to nearest whole figure.
2. The General Household Survey collects data in alternate years only. The latest year for which data are available is 1992.
3. The currently recommended sensible levels for alcohol consumption, 21 unites per week for men and 14 units per week for women1 were adopted by the Government when it published in 1991 the Lord President's Report on Action Against Alcohol Misuse. They refer to adults only. The Government's advice on sensible drinking is currently being reviewed by an inter-departmental group of officials in light of the latest scientific and medical evidence.
1A unit of alcohol is 8 grams; the amount contained in half a pint of ordinary beer or larger, or in a small glass of wine, or in a standard measure of sprits.
Source:
OPCS General Household Survey (Analysis by Department of Health).