Drinking campaigns needed for older groups, doctors say

Sensible drinking campaigns focus too heavily upon teenagers and neglect older groups drinking at home, according to some of the UK's top doctors.

The Royal College of Physicians argues that government drives to promote sensible drinking are too focussed on under-age drinkers and young people as a large section of older groups drink heavily, albeit in the privacy of their own homes.

Speaking to the BBC, Professor Ian Gilmore warned of the health problems associated with drinking.

'Quite large sections of the population are drinking quite heavily on a regular basis,' the head of the college said.

He added: 'One of the great sadnesses is that patients often don't get a warning before serious liver damage sets in.'

However health minister Lord Hunt told the BBC that sensible drinking advice is for all of society, not just the young.

'We're doing everything we can and I know that the colleagues I work with in this area want to get these sensible drinking messages out and, wherever you drink, it is important that you take note of that,' he commented.

Recent research has shown that 77.4 per cent of Britons consume alcohol in their homes compared to only 44.5 per cent of Spaniards.

However the research by Mintel also showed that Britons drink more at home than residents in the wine-producing nations of France and Germany where around two-thirds enjoy a drink in their own home.

M & C