http://news.bbc.co.uk:80/low/english/uk/newsid_69000/69984.stm
 
> BBC News Online: UK
>
> Health message up in smoke
>
> Thursday, March 26, 1998 Published at 07:44 GMT
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>[ One in eight young men drink almost double the recommended safe limits ]
>
> Health message up in smoke
> The health-conscious 1980s are being replaced by the vice-embracing
> 1990s, according to UK Government research.
>
> Young Britons are becoming more likely to relax with a beer and a
> cigarette, with many sinking well over the recommended safe limits for
> alcohol.
>
> The Office for National Statistics says one in eight young men drink
> more than 50 units of alcohol a week. The recommended safe limit for
> men has recently been increased from 21 units, but only to 28.
>
> At the same time, 41% of men aged 18 to 24 drink more than 21 units -
> the highest proportion ever.
>
> A unit equals one glass of wine, a single shot of spirits or a
> half-pint of beer. For women, the recommended safe limit was also
> raised two years ago from 14 to 21 units per week.
>
> Women are now enjoying extra tipples with 25% drinking more than 14
> units in 1996-97 compared with one in seven in 1984.
>
> A British Medical Association said: "We're very disturbed by these
> figures."
>
> He was also unhappy at statistic showing the number of people smoking.
>
>
> Public awareness campaigns throughout the 1970s and 1980s highlighted
> the dangers of tobacco and had a dramatic effect on smoking.
>
> But the latest ONS General Household Survey shows the continuing
> message is starting to fall on deaf ears.
>
> In 1996, 28% of women smoked. This is still well down on levels in the
> mid-1970s, when 41% of women liked a cigarette, but it has risen by 2%
> from 1994.
>
> Again 18 to 24-year-old men are most likely to take up the weed with
> 43% regularly smoking, compared with 37% in 1988.
>
> The BMA spokesman said: "This is why we continue to put pressure on
> the government to ban tobacco advertising. Until they do so, these
> figures will continue to rise."
>
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>
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>
> Internet Links
>
> Health Education Authority
> Alcohol Concern
> Office for National Statistics
>
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