Twice as many men drinking themselves to death

The number of men aged 35-54 drinking themselves to death has more than doubled in 15 years, according to official figures.

Deaths among women in the same age group also nearly doubled, the Office for National Statistics said, giving rise to the usual media fuss over rising alcohol consumption and binge-drinking. However, behind the panic are stats that men need to heed.

'Tragic as they are, these figures are hardly a surprise,' said Frank Soodeen of Alcohol Concern told Reuters. 'Binge drinkers should take especial note of the rise in the number of people aged between 35 and 54 who are now dying. People need to realise that alcohol misuse is implicated in a range of fatal diseases from cancer to severe psychosis which can strike at relatively young ages.'

The number of alcohol-related deaths in 2005 was 8,386, compared to 4,144 in 1991. An alcohol-related death is described by the ONS as one that is caused by diseases or conditions linked to alcohol consumption, such as chronic liver disease or pancreatitis.

The Department of Health responded to the inevitable criticism from opposition parties with the claim that it was spending more to promote sensible drinking and was working with the drinks industry to stamp out alcohol abuse. Hmmmm. 

'We are concerned about the number of alcohol-related deaths and are committed to tackling this problem,' a spokesperson said.

Should we be worried about the increase? And if so, what should we do about it? Higher taxes on booze? Further advertising restrictions? Shorter opening hours again? Raise the legal drinking age? What do you think?