Why are Britons now driven to drink?

BRITONS rank among the biggest drinkers in the world, according to new research. The World Health Organisation report has revealed we drink double the global average. We asked our Email Jury if they feel people drink too much in the UK, if there is pressure to drink, their drinking habits and if our upbringing plays a role in our relationship with alcohol.

It is a cultural thing that people learned from their parents. Better teaching on this at school should help reduce this culture in the future. Joseph

Clancy, Glasgow.

There were a number of alcoholics in my family and I saw what it did to them and stopped indulging heavily. Maybe I am one of the lucky people where drinking too much just makes me ill.

Elizabeth O’Regan, Lincoln.

I don’t drink very much at all. My late husband drank far more than me and his parents regularly had a drink, whereas my dad didn’t drink at all.

Margaret Gibb, Fife.

The number of people you see staggering about the streets at the weekend is ridiculous. In my younger days we would go out for a few drinks, but none of us got so drunk we couldn’t stand. Fiona Reid, Forfar.

My parents allowed me to have small tastes at home when I was 16 or 17, so I never felt the need to do it behind their backs. Sandra Wisely, Skene.

I think upbringing is very

important. If parents drink excessively, children think it is the done thing and follow suit.

Liz Kelly, Glasgow.

There is no pressure to drink. I do take a drink but not to the detriment of my health and fitness. Graham D’arcy, Glasgow.

I feel the younger generation drink for the wrong reason. What enjoyment is there if you cannot remember anything

about it? Bea Smith, Doncaster.

Just because parents drink, it does not mean we have to follow their examples. Anne Fletcher, Darlington.

I do not think there is, or was, pressure to drink at all. A small quantity is pleasant, but stick to that. Allison Scotland, Roxburghshire.

Judging by the number of drunks on the streets, it is a national disgrace. Where do these people find the money for

drink? Ronald James, Angus.