Statistical Bulletin
Drinking Habits Amongst Adults,
2012
Coverage: GB
Date: 17 December 2013
Geographical Area: Region
Theme: Health and Social Care
Correction
A minor error was found in table 11 of the reference tables. This has impacted the proportions
of those who had never smoked and ex-smokers who consumed alcohol in the last week, who
consumed alcohol on at least five days in the last week, and the proportions who exceeded specified
drinking levels. The impact is minimal, with estimates changing by a maximum of two percentage
points. Figure 11 and Figure 12 have been corrected as a result, as well as some of the quoted
values in the 'Drinking and Smoking' section. under the 'Drinking in 2012' heading.
This was corrected at 15:45 on 12 March 2014.
Key points:
•
In 2012 58% of adults (people aged 16 and over) living in private households in Great Britain
drank alcohol at least once in the week before being interviewed. This proportion has been
declining both for men and women. Between 2005 and 2012 the proportion of men who drank
alcohol in the week before being interviewed fell from 72% to 64%, and the proportion of women
fell from 57% to 52%.
•
The proportion of adults who drank frequently (those who drank alcohol on at least five days in
the week before being interviewed) has also been declining. Between 2005 and 2012 there was
a fall from 22% to 14% in the proportion of men who were frequent drinkers, and from 13% to
9% in the proportion of women. In 2012 people aged 65 and over were most likely to have drunk
frequently, both for men (23%) and women (14%).
•
Young people (those aged 16-24) were more likely to have drunk very heavily (more than
12 units for men and 9 units for women) at least once during the week (27%), with similar
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
proportions for men (26%) and women (28%). Only 3% of those aged 65 and over were very
heavy drinkers.
•
Very heavy drinkers were five times more likely than other drinkers to have drunk strong beer/
stout/lager/cider, and more than twice as likely to have drunk spirits or liqueurs, on their heaviest
drinking day in the week before interview.
•
Smokers (25%) were more than twice as likely as non-smokers (11%) to have drunk very heavily
at least once during the week.
Why do these results matter?
The Department of Health estimates that the harmful use of alcohol costs the National Health
Service in England around £3.5 billion a year and 8% of all hospital admissions involved an alcoholrelated condition. Drinking can lead to over 40 medical conditions, including cancer, stroke,
hypertension, liver disease and heart disease. Reducing the harm caused by alcohol is therefore a
priority for the Government and the devolved administrations. Excessive consumption of alcohol is
a major preventable cause of premature mortality with alcohol-related deaths accounting for 5.3%
of all deaths in England and Wales in 2005. The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), General
Lifestyle Survey (GLF) and General Household Survey (GHS) are important sources for monitoring
trends in alcohol consumption.
These drinking data are widely used by universities and health organisations. The School of Health
and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield has used the data to carry out
alcohol-related public health research. Public Health England also uses the data on drinking to
estimate the proportion of deaths and illnesses that can be attributed to alcohol consumption.
Information on the proportion of men drinking more than eight units of alcohol in a day and women
drinking more than six units in a day is used as a proxy measure of binge drinking (known as heavy
episodic drinking). In particular it is used as an outcome measure for the Government's Alcohol
Strategy.
The OPN, GLF and GHS have measured drinking behaviours for over 30 years. This release
presents findings from these surveys on recent trends in drinking habits in Great Britain, and
compares the drinking habits of different groups of adults in 2012.
Trends in Drinking
1
In 2012 58% of adults in Great Britain (GB) drank alcohol in the week before being interviewed.
There was a two percentage point fall for both men and women compared with 2011. This continues
the general decline in the proportion of adults drinking in GB since 2005. The decline between 2011
and 2012 was driven by the 25-44 age group. The proportion of men aged 25-44 who drank in the
last week fell from 67% to 63% between 2011 and 2012. In comparison there was a fall from 56% to
50% in this proportion amongst women of the same age.
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Over the eight year period between 2005 and 2012, men were consistently more likely than women
to have drunk alcohol in the last week, Figure 1.
Figure 1: Drinking Frequency in the Last Week, by Gender, Great Britain, 2005-2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, General Lifestyle Survey, General Household Survey - Office
for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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11% of adults in GB were frequent drinkers (drank alcohol on at least five days in the week before
being interviewed) in 2012. Men were consistently more likely than women to be frequent drinkers.
There was a fall from 16% to 14% between 2011 and 2012 in the proportion of men who
were frequent drinkers. There was no change in the proportion of women who were frequent
drinkers (9%).
Those aged 16-44 were the main cause of the decline in the proportion of adults who drank in the
last week, and in the proportion of adults who were frequent drinkers, between 2005 and 2012.
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People were asked how much alcohol they drank on their heaviest drinking day in the last week
(HDD). There was a decline between 2005 and 2012 in the proportion who exceeded 4/3 units on
their HDD (that is, four units for men and three units for women), Figure 2. There was also a decline
between 2005 and 2012 in the proportion who exceeded 8/6 units on their HDD (eight units is the
the same as four pints of normal strength lager, and six units the same as two large glasses of
wine). These falls were present in all age groups except those aged 65 and over.
Figure 2: Amount of Alcohol Drank on Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week, by Gender,
2005-2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, General Lifestyle Survey, General Household Survey - Office
for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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Notes for Trends in Drinking
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
1.
Adults include all those aged 16 and over living in private households.
Drinking in 2012
Drinking in the Last Week
1
In 2012 58% of adults in Great Britain (GB) drank alcohol in the last week (the week before
interview). This proportion varied by different groups. Men (64%) were more likely than women
(52%) to have drunk in the last week. This is true for all age groups apart from those aged 16-24.
Men and women aged 16-24 were almost equally likely to have drunk in the last week, Figure 3.
Figure 3: Drinking in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
The proportion who drank in the last week also varied by age. Those aged 16-24 were least likely to
have drunk in the last week (49%), and those aged 45-64 (65%) were most likely. However, when
16 and 17 year olds are excluded, there is no difference between the proportions of 18-24 year olds
and those aged 65 and over who drank in the last week. The proportion of 16 and 17 year olds who
said that they drank in the last week was low. This is most likely because in GB the legal age for
alcohol purchases is 18.
A higher proportion of working adults (65%) drank in the last week than those who were not working
(48%). This is in contrast to findings from the 'Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Smoking Habits
Amongst Adults, 2012' publication, which found that the level of smoking prevalence in 2012 was
highest amongst those who were unemployed (not working but looking for work).
Figure 4: Drinking in the Last Week, by Employment Status, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
2. International Labour Organisation definitions of employment status have been used. Unemployed people are
those not currently in work, but looking for work. Examples of economically inactive people are retired people and
students.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
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There was variation in the proportion of adults who drank in the last week between most ethnic
groups, Figure 5. Six out of 10 White adults drank in the last week, compared to aproximately two
out of 10 Asian and Asian British adults.
The proportion of people who don't drink at all (abstinence) is known to vary by ethnic group.
Abstinence is highest amongst South Asians, particularly those from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and
Muslim backgrounds. Abstinence is often influenced by religion which is closely associated with
ethnicity.
Figure 5: Drinking in the Last Week, by Ethnicity, 2005-2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Adults living in London (51%) and the West Midlands (52%) were least likely to have drunk in the
last week when compared with other English regions. However in these regions a higher proportion
of people are from non-white ethnic groups. Our analysis indicates that once other factors such
as ethnicity have been accounted for, adults in London were no less likely than those from other
English regions to have drunk in the last week.
Frequent Drinkers
Adults who drank on five or more days in the week before interview have been classed as frequent
drinkers. In 2012 11% of all adults were frequent drinkers. The likelihood of being a frequent drinker
increased with age, Figure 6. 3% of 16-24 year olds were frequent drinkers, increasing to 18% of
those aged 65 and over. Men (14%) were more likely to be frequent drinkers than women (9%), and
this gap increased with age.
Figure 6: Frequent Drinkers, by Age and Gender, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
2. Frequent drinkers are those who drank alcohol on at least five days in the week before interview.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
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Single adults were less likely than other adults to be frequent drinkers. However our analysis found
that single people were more likely to be younger, and that this reduced the likelihood of a single
adult being a frequent drinker. When other factors, such as age, were accounted for, single adults
were no less likely than others to be frequent drinkers.
White adults (12%) were four times as likely as those from non-white ethnic groups (3%) to be
frequent drinkers. This is consistent with drinking in the last week.
Heavy Drinking
Respondents were asked about their heaviest drinking day in the last week (HDD). They were asked
about the types and measures of alcoholic drinks consumed on that day. These drinks have been
converted into units of alcohol based on assumed alcohol levels for each measure/type of drink
(more information on this can be found in background note 3).
For the purposes of this release, those who drank in the week before interview and who drank more
than 8/6 units (that is, eight units for men and six units for women) on their HDD have been classed
as heavy drinkers. Eight units is roughly equivalent to four pints of normal strength lager, and six
units roughly equivalent to two large glasses of wine. Those who drank more than 12/9 units on their
HDD have been classed as very heavy drinkers. 12 units of alcohol is roughly equivalent to six pints
of normal strength lager, and nine units roughly equivalent to three large glasses of wine.
In 2012 a quarter of adult drinkers were heavy drinkers. Male drinkers (29%) were more likely to
be heavy drinkers than female drinkers (21%), regardless of age. The likelihood of being a heavy
drinker decreased with age, Figure 7.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Figure 7: Heavy Drinking, by Age and Gender, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
2. Heavy drinkers include men who drank more than 8 units of alcohol at least once in the week before interview and
women who drank more than 6 units.
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Younger adults were less likely to have drunk frequently, but younger drinkers were more likely to
have drunk heavily. The opposite was true for older adults, who were more likely to have drunk
frequently, but older drinkers were less likely to have drunk heavily.
Economically inactive drinkers (such as students and retired people) were half as likely to be heavy
drinkers (15%) when compared with drinkers who were in or looking for work (30%). Further analysis
found that economically inactive people tended to be older. When other factors such as age are
accounted for, drinkers who were economically inactive were no less likely than others to be heavy
drinkers.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Single drinkers (39%) and cohabiting drinkers (36%) were more likely to be heavy drinkers
than married drinkers (19%) or widowed/divorced/separated drinkers (20%).
White drinkers were almost three times as likely to have been very heavy drinkers (14%) as nonwhite drinkers (5%).
Alcoholic Drinks Consumed
In 2012, 64% of female drinkers drank wine on their heaviest drinking day in the last week (HDD),
making it the most popular type of drink amongst women. The exception was the 16-24 age
group, where female drinkers showed a preference for spirits/liqueurs over wine. 59% of male
drinkers drank normal strength beer/lager/cider/shandy on their HDD. Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy was the most popular type of drink amongst all ages of male drinker. Amongst
older male drinkers the popularity of normal strength beer/lager/cider/shandy decreased and the
popularity of wine increased.
A small proportion of drinkers drank sherry/martini or alcopops on their HDD. 9% of female
drinkers aged 65 and over drank sherry/martini on their HDD; a higher proportion than any other
age/gender group. In contrast drinkers aged 16-24 (8%) were more likely than those in other age
groups to have drank alcopops.
Very heavy drinkers were five times more likely than other drinkers to have drunk strong beer/stout/
lager/cider, and over twice as likely to have drunk spirits or liqueurs, Figure 8. The difference in
the proportion who drank strong beer/stout/lager/cider was even greater for male drinkers, where
the proportion was nearly six times higher amongst men who drank very heavily (28%) than it was
amongst other male drinkers (5%).
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Figure 8: Alcoholic Drink Preferences of Very Heavy Drinkers, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain who drank alcohol in the last
week.
2. Very heavy drinkers include men who drank more than 12 units of alcohol at least once in the last week and women
who drank more than 9 units.
3. Sherry/martini includes port, vermouth, Cinzano and Dubonnet.
4. Wine includes champagne and babycham.
5. Drink types relate to the types of drink consumed on respondents' heaviest drinking day in the week before
interview.
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Drinking and Health
In 2012 four out of five adults rated their general health positively (as either good or very good).
However there was a relationship between self-reported health status and drinking habits. 83% of
adults who said that they drink alcohol nowadays rated their general health positively compared with
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
68% of adults who said that they do not. A contributing factor may be that people who rated their
health as bad or very bad may be unable to drink alcohol because of health issues.
Those who didn't drink at all and those who drank every day in the last week were least likely to rate
their health positively, Figure 9.
Figure 9: Self-Reported Health and Drinking Frequency, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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Adults' perceptions of heavy drinking levels are higher than the official measures. Adults who
drink more than 8/6 units on their HDD are considered binge (or heavy episodic) drinkers in the
Government's Alcohol Strategy. Eight units is the same as four pints of normal strength lager,
and six units is the same as two large glasses of wine. Whilst 14% of all adults in 2012 were
classified as binge drinkers using this measure, less than 1% felt that they were heavy drinkers.
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Adults' self reported health was also related to their self reported level of drinking. Adults who felt
that they drink heavily were less likely than other adult drinkers to rate their general health positively,
Figure 10.
Only 56% of adults who felt that they drink heavily rated their general health positively, compared
with 82% of other adults who said that they do drink, Figure 10.
Figure 10: Self-Assessed Drinking Habits and General Health, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
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Drinking and Smoking
Smokers have been grouped into light smokers (smoke on average up to 10 cigarettes per day),
moderate smokers (10 up to 20 cigarettes per day) and heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per
day).
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Drinkers who smoked (25%) were more than twice as likely as those who did not smoke (11%) to be
very heavy drinkers, regardless of how much they smoked, Figure 11.
Figure 11: Smoking and Very Heavy Drinking, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Very heavy drinkers include men who drank more than 12 units of alcohol at least once in the last week, and
women who drank more than 9 units.
2. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain who drank alcohol in the last
week.
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Heavy smokers (21%) were most likely to have been frequent drinkers. They were almost twice
as likely as light smokers (11%) or moderate smokers (11%) to be frequent drinkers, Figure 12.
Ex-smokers (18%) were also more likely than light or moderate smokers to have been frequent
drinkers, with those who have never smoked least likely (8%).
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Figure 12: Smoking and Frequent Drinking, 2012
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey - Office for National Statistics
Notes:
1. Bases include all people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain who drank alcohol in the last
week.
2. Frequent drinkers are those who drank alcohol on at least 5 days in the last week.
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Drinking During Pregnancy
Pregnant women aged 16-49 were far less likely than women who were not pregnant to have drunk
in the last week. One in 10 pregnant women drank in the last week compared with five in 10 of all
other women.
None of the pregnant women interviewed were frequent drinkers, compared with 5% of all other
women aged 16-49.
Notes for Drinking in 2012
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
1.
Adults include all those aged 16 and over living in private households.
Background notes
1.
Measuring Alcohol Consumption
Obtaining reliable information about drinking behaviour is difficult, and social surveys
consistently record lower levels of consumption than would be expected from data on alcohol
sales. This is partly because people may consciously or unconsciously underestimate how
much alcohol they drink. Drinking at home is particularly likely to be underestimated because
the quantities consumed are less likely to have been measured and also more likely to be larger
than those dispensed in licensed premises.
There are different methods for obtaining survey information on drinking behaviour. One
approach is to ask people to recall all episodes of drinking during a set period (See Goddard E
(2001) 'Obtaining information about drinking through surveys of the general population’ (275.9
Kb Pdf), National Statistics Methodology Series NSM 24). However, this is time-consuming
and is not suitable for the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), where drinking is only one of a
number of subjects covered.
Since 1998 respondents have been asked questions about their drinking behaviour in the seven
days before interview. Specifically, people responding to the OPN are asked on how many
days they drank alcohol during the previous week. They are then asked how much of each of
six different types of drink (normal strength beer; strong beer; wine; spirits; fortified wines; and
alcopops) they drank on their heaviest drinking day during the previous week. These amounts
are converted to units of alcohol and summed to give an estimate of the number of units the
respondent consumed on their heaviest drinking day (see background note 3 for further details
of the number of units assumed to be in each measure of each type of drink).
2.
Change in survey vehicle
In 2012, the survey vehicle for collecting drinking data changed from the General Lifestyle
Survey (GLF) to the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN).
The OPN uses the same initial approach to sampling as the GLF. That is, a random sample
of addresses is drawn from the Postcode Address File (PAF). Initially, a sample of postcode
sectors is drawn, and from within those, a list of addresses is chosen. The design means that
every address and every person in Great Britain has an equal chance of selection. The PAF is
ordered by region and other socio-demographic indicators provided by the census. Ordering
the PAF helps to ensure the sample represents the general population of Great Britain. GLF
analysis was based on four waves of longitudinal data, weighted to produce cross-sectional
estimates. The OPN only produces cross-sectional estimates.
Both the OPN and GLF surveys use Computer Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI). Interviewers
visit sampled addresses and interview respondents with the aid of a laptop. Face to face
interviewing helps to maximise participation in the survey, which is around 60% of sampled
addresses for both surveys.
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
All of the trends reported on in this release are based on the same questions previously included
on GLF. Therefore, no trend changes will have been introduced as a result of changing question
wording.
After data collection, the results are 'weighted' to ensure they represent the general population
of Great Britain. The approach to weighting is the same for both surveys. Firstly, an adjustment
is made to account for those respondents who chose not to take part in the surveys (or, for
OPN, the chances of selection within a household - see 'What are the differences?', below).
Secondly, the samples are grossed up to total the GB population, taking account of the age and
gender profile of the population, as well as the distribution of people across Local Authorities.
What are the differences?
The primary difference between these two surveys is the approach to interviewing residents
of sampled addresses. The GLF aimed to interview all residents in the household aged 16 or
above. The OPN only interviews one person aged 16 or above in each sampled household.
The OPN randomly selects a resident for interview, thus reducing the potential for selection
bias. Despite a different approach to within household sampling selection, the achieved
number of interviews is broadly the comparable between the two surveys. The GLF achieved
approximately 13,500 adult interviews per year compared to approximately 13,000 adult
interviews per year on the OPN.
There was a reduction in the number and detail of questions migrated from the GLF to the OPN.
Details of the questions that were moved from the GLF to the OPN are provided in Appendix A
of the Future of the GLF (108.9 Kb Pdf) update.
As part of the OPN, respondents have also been given the option to record normal strength
beer/lager/cider/shandy and strong beer/stout/lager/cider in measures of schooners. A schooner
is a glass that contains two-thirds of a pint. When estimating the number of units of alcohol that
a person drank, the units for schooners have been pro-rated to account for this difference in
size.
What do these differences mean for comparability?
Every effort has been made to minimise the potential for discontinuity between the results from
the two surveys. Our analysis shows that the results of the OPN are comparable with those of
the GLF.
The reduction in achieved sample size has not led to significant loss in precision. The
confidence intervals around key estimates such as the proportion of adults in Great Britain who
drank alcohol in the last week are comparable between the GLF and OPN. Results have been
found to follow the same patterns by various socio-demographic characteristics such as age,
gender and employment status. The comparability of these estimates is deemed sufficient to
make comparisons between 2012 and previously reported results.
However, the reduction in questions asked on topics covered by the GLF has led to a
discontinuation of some outputs. For example, in the case of smoking, the age at which people
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Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
started smoking is no longer reported on, as the source data is not collected on the OPN.
Similarly, questions on tobacco dependency were no longer asked from January 2012.
3.
Recent changes in methodology
The conversion of volumes of alcoholic drinks to units of alcohol is based on assumptions about
the size of a given measure (for example, a glass of wine) and the alcohol content of the type
of drink, that is, the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). In recent years there have been
changes to both of these factors and these have been reflected in revisions to the conversion
method. The survey does not ask about the specific ABV of every alcoholic drink consumed but
assumes an average for each type of drink. The revised method changed the number of units
assumed to be in drinks in the ‘normal strength beer, lager and cider’ and ‘strong beer, lager and
cider’ categories but the main impact was on drinks in the ‘wine’ category. Background note 3
gives details of the number of units assumed to be in each measure of each alcoholic drink type.
The revised method had a large impact on the estimates of units of alcohol consumed from
wine because it changed both the assumed ABV of wine (from 9 to 12%) and the size of a glass
of wine. Until 2006 a glass of wine was assumed to be 125 ml. Respondents are now asked
whether they have consumed small (125 ml), standard (175 ml) or large (250 ml) glasses of
wine. It is now assumed that a small glass contains 1.5 units, a standard glass contains 2 units
and a large glass contains 3 units. Discussion of the impact of these changes on the estimates
of consumption can be found in the report on the 2009 data.
4.
Assumed alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages for different types and measures of
alcoholic drink
Table 1, below, shows the assumed number of units of alcohol present in each measure of each
drink type.
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Table 1: Units of Alcohol Assumed to be in an Alcoholic Drink, by Drink Type and
Measure, 2012
Drink Type
Measure
Units
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Half Pint
1.0
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Pint
2.0
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Small Can
1.5
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Large Can
2.0
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Bottles
1.5
Normal strength beer/
lager/cider/shandy
Schooners
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Half Pint
2.0
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Pint
4.0
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Small Can
2.0
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Large Can
3.0
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Bottles
2.0
Strong beer/stout/lager/
cider
Schooners
Spirits/liqueurs
Standard single (25ml)
1.0
Spirits/liqueurs
35ml
1.5
Spirits/liqueurs
Standard double (50ml)
2.0
Sherry/martini, including
port, vermouth, Cinzano
and Dubonnet
Glass
1.0
Wine, including
champagne or babycham
Small Glass (125ml)
1.5
Wine, including
champagne or babycham
Medium Glass (175ml)
2.0
1
1
1.3
2.7
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Drink Type
Measure
Units
Wine, including
champagne or babycham
Large Glass (250ml)
3.0
Wine, including
champagne or babycham
Bottle
9.0
Wine, including
champagne or babycham
Unknown
2.0
Alcopops
Small Can
1.5
Alcopops
Standard Bottle
1.5
Alcopops
Large Bottle
3.5
Table source: Office for National Statistics
Table notes:
1. A schooner is a serving of two thirds of a pint. To estimate the number of units for somebody who has been
drinking schooners, the number of schooners has been multiplied by 4/3 for normal strength beer/lager/cider/
shandy and by 8/3 for strong beer/stout/lager/cider.
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5.
Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting
www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media
Relations Office email: [email protected]
Copyright
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Statistical contacts
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Email
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Statistics
Office for National Statistics | 21
Drinking Habits Amongst Adults, 2012 | 17 December 2013
Issuing Body:
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Office for National Statistics | 22
Index of Tables
Title
Proportion who Drank Alcohol in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2005 - 2012
Amount of Alcohol Drank on Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2005 - 2012
Drinking Habits by Age and Gender, 2012
Drinking Habits and General Health, 2012
Types of Alcoholic Drink Consumed on Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2012
Types of Alcoholic Drink Consumed by Very Heavy Drinkers and Other Drinkers on Their Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week, by Gender, 2012
Drinking Habits by Employment Status, 2012
Drinking Habits by Relationship Status, 2012
Drinking Habits by Ethnicity, 2012
Drinking Habits by Region, 2012
Drinking Habits and Smoking, 2012
Drinking Habits in Pregnancy, 2012
Table
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
Proportion who Drank Alcohol in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2005-2012
Persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentages
Weighted base
Unweighted
2012
(000s) = 100% sample 2012 3
2005 1
2006 2
2007 2
2008 2
2009 2
2010 2
2011 2
2012 2
64
74
77
66
72
60
73
76
67
71
64
74
76
67
72
63
72
74
66
70
55
70
72
66
68
49
69
73
65
67
52
67
72
63
66
50
63
71
63
64
3,521
8,232
7,627
4,574
23,955
470
1,670
1,970
1,590
5,700
10
18
28
26
22
8
17
26
27
21
9
18
27
29
22
6
14
24
27
19
7
13
23
27
18
5
12
20
26
17
4
11
21
24
16
5
9
18
23
14
3,521
8,229
7,627
4,568
23,945
470
1,670
1,970
1,590
5,690
56
62
61
43
57
53
60
61
44
56
54
61
61
45
57
52
59
60
43
55
51
59
59
43
54
46
56
60
43
53
50
56
60
42
54
48
50
59
45
52
3,402
8,189
7,926
5,517
25,035
540
2,240
2,170
1,990
6,930
5
11
17
14
13
3
9
15
15
11
Men
Drank alcohol in the last week
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All men
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All men
Women
Drank alcohol in the last week
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All women
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All women
1
2
3
4
2
2
2
3
2
3,402
540
11
9
7
7
6
5
8,181
2,240
15
15
14
13
12
11
7,926
2,170
15
15
14
14
13
14
5,517
1,990
12
11
10
10
9
9
25,027
6,930
Source: General Lifestyle Survey and Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
2005 data includes October - December 2004 due to a change of survey period from financial to calendar year.
Results from 2006 to 2011 include longitudinal data.
All unweighted bases are rounded to the nearest 10.
Bases for earlier years can be found in the General Lifestyle Survey reports for the respective year.
2
Amount of Alcohol Drank on Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week,
by Age and Gender, 2012
Persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentages
2005 1 2
2006 2
2007 2
2008 4
2009 4
2010 4
2011 4
2012 4
Weighted base
2012
(000s) = 100%
46
48
43
21
41
42
48
42
21
40
44
48
44
23
41
42
42
41
21
37
36
44
41
20
37
34
41
40
22
36
32
39
38
20
34
30
40
37
20
34
3,521
8,225
7,618
4,565
23,929
470
1,660
1,970
1,590
5,690
32
30
22
6
23
30
31
21
7
23
32
31
24
8
24
30
27
21
7
21
24
27
21
5
20
24
25
20
7
19
22
24
19
6
18
22
24
19
7
19
3,521
8,225
7,618
4,565
23,929
470
1,660
1,970
1,590
5,690
41
42
37
12
34
39
40
35
14
33
40
43
36
14
34
36
37
32
10
29
37
36
32
11
29
31
35
32
11
28
31
34
33
12
28
30
29
30
13
26
3,384
8,177
7,919
5,515
24,995
530
2,240
2,170
1,980
6,920
27
20
12
2
15
25
21
12
2
15
Unweighted
5
sample 2012
Men
Drank more than 4 units of
alcohol on at least one day
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All men
Drank more than 8 units of
alcohol on at least one day
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All men
Women
Drank more than 3 units of
alcohol on at least one day
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All women
Drank more than 6 units of
alcohol on at least one day
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All women
1
2
3
4
5
24
24
24
17
18
17
3,384
530
22
20
19
19
16
14
8,177
2,240
13
13
11
11
12
11
7,919
2,170
3
2
2
2
2
3
5,515
1,980
15
14
13
13
12
11
24,995
6,920
Source: General Lifestyle Survey and Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
2005 data includes October - December 2004 due to survey change from financial year to calendar year.
Figures produced using the updated methodology for converting volumes of wine to alcoholic units assuming an average size wine
glass.
Results from 2006 to 2011 include longitudinal data.
Figures produced using the updated methodology taking into account data on wine glass size.
All unweighted bases rounded to the nearest 10.
Bases for earlier years can be found in the General Lifestyle Survey reports for the respective year.
3
Drinking Habits by Age and Gender, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
16-24
Percentages
25-44
45-64
65+
All
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100%
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
All
16-24
Unweighted sample 2012 1
25-44
45-64
65+
All
All persons
Drank alcohol in the last week
Men
Women
All
50
48
49
63
50
57
71
59
65
63
45
53
64
52
58
3,521
3,402
6,923
8,232
8,189
16,422
7,627
7,926
15,553
4,574
5,517
10,091
23,955
25,035
48,990
470
540
1,000
1,670
2,240
3,910
1,970
2,170
4,140
1,590
1,990
3,570
5,700
6,930
12,620
5
2
3
9
5
7
18
11
14
23
14
18
14
9
11
3,521
3,402
6,923
8,229
8,181
16,410
7,627
7,926
15,553
4,568
5,517
10,085
23,945
25,027
48,972
470
540
1,000
1,670
2,240
3,900
1,970
2,170
4,140
1,590
1,990
3,570
5,690
6,930
12,620
Up to 4/3 units 2
Men
Women
All
39
37
38
37
43
40
47
49
48
68
71
69
47
50
48
1,762
1,625
3,386
5,216
4,119
9,335
5,390
4,652
10,042
2,894
2,459
5,353
15,262
12,855
28,117
240
250
490
1,080
1,160
2,240
1,410
1,260
2,670
990
860
1,850
3,730
3,530
7,250
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 2
Men
Women
All
18
28
23
25
30
27
26
32
29
22
23
22
24
29
26
1,762
1,625
3,386
5,216
4,119
9,335
5,390
4,652
10,042
2,894
2,459
5,353
15,262
12,855
28,117
240
250
490
1,080
1,160
2,240
1,410
1,260
2,670
990
860
1,850
3,730
3,530
7,250
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 2
Men
Women
All
17
8
12
17
12
15
14
9
12
6
4
5
14
9
12
1,762
1,625
3,386
5,216
4,119
9,335
5,390
4,652
10,042
2,894
2,459
5,353
15,262
12,855
28,117
240
250
490
1,080
1,160
2,240
1,410
1,260
2,670
990
860
1,850
3,730
3,530
7,250
More than 12/9 units 2
Men
Women
All
26
28
27
21
15
18
12
10
11
4
2
3
15
12
14
1,762
1,625
3,386
5,216
4,119
9,335
5,390
4,652
10,042
2,894
15,262
240
1,080
1,410
990
3,730
2,459
12,855
250
1,160
1,260
860
3,530
5,353
28,117
490
2,240
2,670
1,850
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Drank alcohol on 5 or more days in the last week
Men
Women
All
All persons who drank alcohol in the last week - units
of alcohol drank on heaviest drinking day
1
2
All unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
4
Drinking Habits and General Health, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentages
Self-assessment of general health
All persons
Very
Good
Good
Fair
Bad
Very
Bad
Weighted base
2012 (000s) =
100%
39
40
15
4
1
48,463
12,520
41
32
42
36
14
21
3
9
1
2
37,800
10,663
9,730
2,790
35
42
45
46
44
40
38
32
38
41
40
42
42
44
47
42
18
13
13
10
12
13
11
19
6
3
2
2
2
2
4
6
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
20,366
9,565
6,445
3,969
2,604
1,714
1,021
2,754
5,270
2,370
1,600
1,040
660
470
270
850
35
39
45
46
44
38
43
40
42
42
18
14
12
10
11
6
3
3
2
2
2
1
0
0
1
20,366
13,491
7,352
3,316
3,863
5,270
3,580
1,910
820
930
32
31
39
43
44
45
38
32
35
40
40
41
41
40
47
44
21
21
17
13
12
12
12
17
10
6
4
2
3
2
2
6
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
8,134
4,123
4,003
7,671
13,433
5,926
1,832
3,333
2,100
1,150
1,060
1,840
3,310
1,580
490
1,000
32
35
44
44
38
20
35
41
40
42
43
36
21
10
2
7,706
1,980
18
5
1
11,305
3,050
13
3
1
12,328
3,100
11
3
0
14,283
3,660
16
3
1
2,648
680
30
7
7
167
60
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Unweighted
sample 2012 1
All persons who.....
...drink alcohol nowadays
...do not drink alcohol nowadays
Number of days in week before interview that
alcohol was consumed
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Number of units of alcohol consumed on heaviest
drinking day in week before interview
Drank no alcohol in week before interview
Up to 4/3 units 2
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 2
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 2
More than 12/9 units 2
Frequency of alcohol consumption in last 12 months
Drank no alcohol in last 12 months
Once or twice a year
Once every couple of months
Once or twice a month
Once or twice a week
3 or 4 times a week
5 or 6 times a week
Almost every day
Self perception of alcohol consumption habits persons who state that they......
...never drink
...hardly drink at all
...drink a little
...drink a moderate amount
...drink quite a lot
...drink heavily
1
2
All unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
5
Types of Alcoholic Drink Consumed on Heaviest Drinking
Day in the Last Week, by Age and Gender, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over who consumed alcohol in week before interview, Great Britain
Age
16-24
25-44
45-64
Percentages
65+
All
Normal strength beer/lager/cider/shandy
Male
Female
All
66
22
45
65
21
45
58
15
38
45
9
28
59
17
39
16
6
12
10
2
7
8
2
5
4
1
2
9
3
6
30
47
39
19
21
20
14
19
16
27
24
26
20
24
22
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
9
5
1
3
2
11
42
26
28
65
44
35
70
51
38
65
51
30
64
46
5
11
8
1
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1,762
1,643
3,405
5,223
4,127
9,351
5,394
4,652
10,046
2,900
2,459
5,359
15,279
12,881
28,160
Strong beer/stout/lager/cider
Male
Female
All
Spirits or liqueurs
Male
Female
All
Sherry or martini
Male
Female
All
Wine, including champagne and babycham
Male
Female
All
Alcopops
Male
Female
All
Weighted base 2012 (000s) = 100%
Male
Female
All
Unweighted sample 2012 1
Male
Female
All
1
240
1,090
1,410
1,000
3,730
250
1,160
1,260
860
3,530
490
2,250
2,670
1,860
7,270
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
All unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
6
Types of Alcoholic Drink Consumed by Very Heavy Drinkers 1 and Other
Drinkers on Their Heaviest Drinking Day in the Last Week, by Gender, 2012
All people aged 16 and over who drank last week, Great Britain
Men
Women
Percentages
All
65
28
39
1
30
2
24
8
44
1
65
8
48
20
41
1
44
4
58
5
17
1
30
1
16
2
21
3
64
2
38
4
19
2
46
1
2,330
12,932
1,547
11,307
3,878
24,239
Proportion of very heavy drinkers 1 who consumed drink type on heaviest
drinking day in week before interview
Normal strength beer/lager/cider/shandy
Strong beer/stout/lager/cider
Spirits or liqueurs
Sherry or martini
Wine, including champagne and babycham
Alcopops
Proportion of all other drinkers who consumed alcohol in week before
interview
Normal strength beer/lager/cider/shandy
Strong beer/stout/lager/cider
Spirits or liqueurs
Sherry or martini
Wine, including champagne and babycham
Alcopops
Weighted base 2012 (000s) = 100%
Very heavy drinkers
All others who drank alcohol in week before interview
Unweighted sample 2012 2
Very heavy drinkers
All others who drank alcohol in week before interview
1
2
3
530
400
930
3,200
3,130
6,320
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Very heavy drinkers are those who consumed more than 12/9 3 units of alcohol on at least one day in the last week.
All unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
12/9 units means 12 units for men and 9 units for women.
7
Drinking Habits by Employment Status 1, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Unweighted samples 2012 2
Men
Women
Men
Percentages
Women
All
Drank alcohol in the last week
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
69
53
55
64
60
39
42
52
65
47
48
58
15,320
1,535
7,100
23,955
13,215
1,183
10,637
25,035
28,536
2,718
17,736
48,990
3,270
330
2,100
5,700
3,350
310
3,270
6,930
6,620
640
5,370
12,620
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
13
11
16
14
7
7
10
9
10
10
13
11
15,317
1,535
7,093
23,945
13,211
1,183
10,633
25,027
28,528
2,718
17,726
48,972
3,270
330
2,090
5,690
3,350
310
3,270
6,930
6,620
640
5,360
12,620
Up to 4/3 units 3
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
41
48
61
47
44
39
61
50
42
45
61
48
10,525
817
3,920
15,262
7,904
462
4,489
12,855
18,429
1,279
8,408
28,117
2,330
190
1,210
3,730
2,030
130
1,380
3,530
4,350
310
2,590
7,250
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 3
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
25
21
23
24
31
32
25
29
27
25
24
26
10,525
817
3,920
15,262
7,904
462
4,489
12,855
18,429
1,279
8,408
28,117
2,330
190
1,210
3,730
2,030
130
1,380
3,530
4,350
310
2,590
7,250
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 3
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
16
12
8
14
11
8
6
9
14
11
7
12
10,525
817
3,920
15,262
7,904
462
4,489
12,855
18,429
1,279
8,408
28,117
2,330
190
1,210
3,730
2,030
130
1,380
3,530
4,350
310
2,590
7,250
More than 12/9 units 3
In Employment 1
ILO Unemployed 1
Economically Inactive 1
All
18
18
8
15
14
21
7
12
16
19
8
14
10,525
817
3,920
15,262
7,904
18,429
2,330
2,030
4,350
462
1,279
190
130
310
4,489
8,408
1,210
1,380
2,590
12,855
28,117
3,730
3,530
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100%
Men
Women
All
All
All persons
All persons who drank alcohol in the last week - units
consumed on heaviest drinking day
1
2
3
International Labour Organisation definitions have been used to group people by employment status. Unemployed people are those who were not
working, but looking for work. Examples of economically inactive people include students and retired people.
Unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
8
Drinking Habits by Relationship Status, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentages
Men
Women
All
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) =
100%
Men
Women
All
Unweighted samples 2012 1
Men
Women
All
All persons
Drank alcohol in the last week
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
55
67
71
61
64
50
55
56
42
52
53
61
64
48
58
6,490
12,269
2,816
2,379
23,955
5,276
12,256
2,740
4,761
25,035
11,766
24,524
5,557
7,141
48,990
1,360
2,710
550
1,080
5,700
1,370
2,840
630
2,090
6,930
2,730
5,550
1,170
3,170
12,620
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
7
17
13
19
14
4
10
7
10
9
6
14
10
13
11
6,486
12,265
2,816
2,378
23,945
5,276
12,247
2,740
4,761
25,027
11,762
24,513
5,557
7,139
48,972
1,360
2,710
550
1,080
5,690
1,370
2,840
630
2,090
6,930
2,730
5,550
1,170
3,170
12,620
Up to 4/3 units 2
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
37
53
36
49
47
39
54
38
58
50
38
54
37
54
48
3,590
8,223
2,011
1,438
15,262
2,609
6,691
1,536
2,017
12,852
6,199
14,913
3,547
3,455
28,114
800
1,860
390
670
3,730
690
1,580
350
910
3,530
1,490
3,440
740
1,580
7,250
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 2
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
20
25
25
25
24
28
30
30
27
29
23
27
28
26
26
3,590
8,223
2,011
1,438
15,262
2,609
6,691
1,536
2,017
12,852
6,199
14,913
3,547
3,455
28,114
800
1,860
390
670
3,730
690
1,580
350
910
3,530
1,490
3,440
740
1,580
7,250
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 2
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
17
13
16
10
14
9
8
14
8
9
13
11
15
9
12
3,590
8,223
2,011
1,438
15,262
2,609
6,691
1,536
2,017
12,852
6,199
14,913
3,547
3,455
28,114
800
1,860
390
670
3,730
690
1,580
350
910
3,530
1,490
3,440
740
1,580
7,250
More than 12/9 units 2
Single
Married
Cohabiting
Widowed / Divorced / Separated
All
26
9
23
16
15
24
8
17
8
12
25
8
20
11
14
3,590
2,609
6,199
800
690
1,490
8,223
6,691
14,913
1,860
1,580
3,440
2,011
1,536
3,547
390
350
740
1,438
2,017
3,455
670
910
1,580
15,262
12,852
28,114
3,730
3,530
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
All persons who drank alcohol in the last week
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in
the last week
1
2
Unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
9
Drinking Habits by Ethnicity, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentages
Non-White ethnic groups
Chinese or
Asian or
Black or
any other
Mixed Asian British Black British ethnic group
White
All NonWhite
62
12
27
3
43
9
19
2
33
2
34
4
58
11
47
27
12
14
64
22
9
5
50
23
17
11
67
23
8
2
72
20
6
3
65
22
8
6
48
26
12
14
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100%, for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol drunk on heaviest drinking day in the last week
43,105
43,088
26,525
5,879
5,879
1,590
626
626
268
2,920
2,920
544
1,067
1,067
348
1,267
1,267
431
48,990
48,972
28,117
Unweighted samples 2012 2 for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol drunk on heaviest drinking day in the last week
11,450
11,440
6,910
1,170
1,170
340
All
All Persons
Drank alcohol last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions last week
All persons who drank alcohol last week - units consumed on
heaviest drinking day last week
Up to 4/3 units 1
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 1
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 1
More than 12/9 units 1
1
2
140
520
250
260
12,620
140
520
250
260
12,620
70
100
80
90
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
Unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
10
Drinking Habits by Region, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over
Percentages
Region
Yorkshire
East
West
and The
Humber Midlands Midlands
North
East
North
West
East of
England
London
South
East
South
West
England
61
9
57
11
62
11
59
11
52
11
58
12
51
9
62
13
63
17
58
12
55
8
55
9
58
11
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last week:
Up to 4/3 units 1
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units 1
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units 1
More than 12/9 units 1
46
28
13
13
42
26
15
18
45
23
13
19
51
23
13
13
51
27
10
12
53
26
12
10
53
26
8
13
52
26
11
11
50
29
11
11
49
26
12
13
45
29
11
16
37
29
14
19
48
26
12
14
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100%, for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last week
2,124
2,124
1,288
5,562
5,562
3,129
4,302
4,302
2,670
3,631
3,628
2,149
4,361
4,359
2,281
4,722
4,722
2,757
6,405
6,405
3,231
6,862
6,857
4,222
4,300
4,292
2,690
42,269
42,252
24,417
2,450
2,450
1,342
4,270
4,270
2,357
48,990
48,972
28,117
Unweighted samples 2012 2 for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last week
570
570
340
1,530
1,530
850
1,230
1,230
760
1,040
1,040
620
1,100
1,100
590
1,220
1,280
1,820
1,080
10,860
680
1,090
12,620
1,220
1,280
1,820
1,080
10,850
680
1,090
12,620
710
660
1,100
660
6,280
370
600
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statisticsal Statistics
Wales Scotland
Great
Britain
All persons
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
All persons who drank alcohol in the last week
1
2
Units specified differ for men and women. For example 4/3 units means 4 units for men and 3 units for women.
Unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
A minor error was found in the table below. Some people had been incorrectly classified as ex-smokers when they had in fact never smoked. As such the proportions given
below for those who had never smoked and those who were ex-smokers were incorrect (each by 1%).
This was corrected at 15:45 on 12 March 2014.
11
Drinking Habits and Smoking, 2012
All persons aged 16 and over, Great Britain
Percentage
Non-Smokers
Smokers
Light 1 Moderate 1
Smokers Smokers
Heavy 1
Smokers
All
Smokers
All
People
54
11
57
21
58
13
58
11
33
26
15
26
34
28
14
23
29
27
16
28
33
27
15
25
48
26
12
14
3,798
3,795
2,392
4,279
4,279
2,319
1,874
1,874
1,075
10,010
10,007
5,809
48,990
48,972
28,117
Never
Smoked
ExSmokers
All NonSmokers
54
8
67
18
57
11
63
11
53
26
11
10
49
27
11
12
52
26
11
11
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100%, for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last week
28,907
28,900
15,610
10,067
10,059
6,698
38,974
38,959
22,308
Unweighted samples 2012 2 for...
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions in the last week
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last week
7,030
7,020
3,830
2,950
2,940
1,910
All persons
Drank alcohol last week
Drank alcohol on five or more occasions last week
All persons who drank alcohol in the last week last week:
Units of alcohol consumed on heaviest drinking day in the last
week
Up to 4/3 units
More than 4/3 units, up to 8/6 units
More than 8/6 units, up to 12/9 units
More than 12/9 units
1
2
9,970
930
1,160
550
2,650
12,620
9,970
920
1,160
550
2,650
12,620
5,740
580
620
320
1,520
7,250
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics
Light smokers are those who smoke, on average, up to 10 cigarettes per day. Moderate smokers are those who smoke 10 up to 20 cigarettes
per day. Heavy smokers are those who smoke 20 or more cigarettes per day.
Unweighted bases rounded to nearest 10.
12
Drinking Habits in Pregnancy, 2012
All women aged 16-49, Great Britain
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
Weighted bases 2012 (000s) = 100% for
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
Unweighted samples 1 for
Drank alcohol in the last week
Drank alcohol on five or more days in the last week
1
Unweighted samples rounded to nearest 10.
Pregnant
Percentages
Not pregnant /
unsure
10
0
53
5
481
481
12,787
12,778
110
3,070
110
3,060
Source: Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Office for National Statistics