Health message up in smoke

One in eight young men drink almost double the recommended safe limits

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.

Men and women are drinking more

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.

Women smokers are on the increase

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."