Women are now drinking as much as men, a study of college students has found.
The findings have again led to calls for the Government to reconsider a ban on sports alcohol sponsorship.
Ivan Perry, of University College Cork’s department of epidemiology and public health, said that the findings of UCC PhD candidate Martin Davoren’s research showed the argument for a complete ban on sports alcohol sponsorship was now “compelling on health and economic grounds”.
Mr Davoren spent three years researching hazardous alcohol consumption by UCC students, with input from colleagues Frances Shiely, Prof Perry, and Dr Michael Byrne.
It is the largest such survey since the College Lifestyle and Attitudinal National Survey a decade ago found that males drank more than their female counterparts.
In the survey of 2,275 UCC undergraduates, Mr Davoren found that 66.4% of students reported hazardous alcohol consumption — 65.2% for men and 67.3% for women — compared to 64% amongst the general population.
Around 17% of males and 5% of females surveyed were drinking more than six units of alcohol (three pints) at least four times a week, and in some cases on a daily basis. The recommended alcohol intake per week is 17 units for men, and 11 units for women.
The findings are due to be published in the BMJ Open medical journal today.
Source: Eoin English, Irish Examiner, 30/01/15
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
