Shock! Horror! The Irish Drink Too Much!

[Lemur]

It's good to see the EU spending its research money wisely. Nobody would have ever guessed that the Irish and the Finns like their drink.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Irish EU's 'worst binge-drinkers'

Ireland has the highest rates of binge-drinking in the European Union, a survey exploring attitudes to alcohol has indicated.

Finland and Britain came second and third in the Eurobarometer survey.

In Italy and Greece, by comparison, only 2% of people said they did binge-drink - defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting.

The survey comes just a few days before Ireland, and much of the world, celebrates Saint Patrick's Day.

Binge-drinking is a particular problem among young people, with almost a fifth of the 15-24 age group usually binge-drinking when consuming alcohol, according to the results of the survey on attitudes towards alcohol, presented by the European Commission on Thursday.

According to the data, men drink more than women, and one in 10 Europeans usually drinks five or more drinks in one session.

Almost eight out of 10 Europeans agree with putting warnings on alcohol bottles and adverts to warn pregnant women and drivers of the dangers of drinking alcohol.

Irish debate

One in three Irish people questioned in the EU survey regularly binge-drink.

In Ireland, there is an ongoing public debate about attitudes to alcohol, especially among young people, says the BBC's James Helm in Dublin.

The Catholic Church has added its voice to those warning of the dangers to society of alcohol abuse.

Saint Patrick's Day on 17 March, the feast day for Ireland's patron saint, can be the cue for heavy drinking.

In recent years there has been much concern about underage drinking on Irish streets on Saint Patrick's Day and some of the resulting problems, including violence, our correspondent says.

This year, police will patrol outside many off-licences where alcohol is sold and there have been calls for stores selling alcoholic drinks to restrict their opening hours in order to try to prevent excessive drinking.

BINGE-DRINKING IN THE EU
Ireland 34%
Finland 27%
UK 24%
Denmark 23%
Portugal 4%
Italy & Greece 2%
Source: Eurobarometer

[Mikeus Caesar]

Well duh.

I thought it was a well known fact that the further north and colder a country is, the more the inhabitants drink?

[Banquo's Ghost]

The Catholic Church has added its voice to those warning of the dangers to society of alcohol abuse.

ARSE!

[ShadesPanther]

I thought everyone knew that
*clutches pint of Harp tightly*

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Well duh.

I thought it was a well known fact that the further north and colder a country is, the more the inhabitants drink?

I don't think we drink more than, say, the Italians or French-or if we do, it's not by much. It's just that we tend to consume alcohol in big lumps, rather than drinking small amounts with meals throughout the day.

[ShadesPanther]

I don't think we drink more than, say, the Italians or French-or if we do, it's not by much. It's just that we tend to consume alcohol in big lumps, rather than drinking small amounts with meals throughout the day.

Yes the French and Italians would order a drink and drink it slower while chatting to friend in a restaurant.

But where's the fun in that?

[Marshal Murat]

It's nice to know that the EU can safely say that 'Irish drink to much' but not be able to decide if Turkey is part of Europe, or if Iran should have nukes.

Nukes vs. binge drinking study?

Drinking study is more fun, and less dangerous.

[Crazed Rabbit]

defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting.

You could drink five drinks at a party over 4-5 hours and not even get drunk. A not ideal definition, methinks.

CR

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

The definition should be:

When a straight man wants to kiss another man, then he's had too much.

I don't know how you equate that with the rest of the population.

[Strike For The South]

The definition should be:

When a straight man wants to kiss another man, then he's had too much.

I don't know how you equate that with the rest of the population.

ummmm? Got something to tell us bubba?

[The Wizard]

According to this, I'm guilty of serious binge drinking every time I go out for the night. Heck, I drink at least twice the minimum for achieving a binge drink.

[Mooks]

Lol. Irish sterotypes are proved right once again!

[The Wizard]

In light of my previous post: where are the Netherlands?

[drone]

Anyone know when the phrase "binge drinking" started to mean 5+ drinks? It wasn't that way when I was in college, and I basically "binged" every night.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Lol. Irish sterotypes are proved right once again!

That's 5+ *hic* drinks......for breakfast

[Tribesman]

Anyone know when the phrase "binge drinking" started to mean 5+ drinks?

Well ....That's 5+ *hic* drinks......for breakfast
Though really having a binge drink is like starting at breakfast and carrying on for a week or two ...or maybe more .

[Louis VI the Fat]

Alcohol abuse - alcoholism, drunk driving, binge drinking - is one of the greatest social and medical problems around. I'm quite happy to see my tax money used for the research of it. It's good to see the EU do meaningful studies to base its policy on.

[BDC]

Bah. UK didn't come top.

Frankly I'm disappointed and disillousioned by my country. What's happened to it? Time to head out and do my part to get us back up there...

[Husar]

It's nice to know that the EU can safely say that 'Irish drink to much' but not be able to decide if Turkey is part of Europe, or if Iran should have nukes.

Nukes vs. binge drinking study?

Drinking study is more fun, and less dangerous.

That's because minor issues like turks and nukes don't paralyze us in panic.

Alcohol on the other hand, is a very paralyzing drug that deserves a lot more attention, it doesn't come with a loud bang like a nuke does. Everyone can hear a nuke from afar, but alcohol is a lot more sneaky. It infiltrates your personal comfort zone hiding in bottles *hick* and makes you want to drink it, and then more and more until you are *hick* paralyzed by the *hick*, well what did I just want to *hick* explain?

[cegorach]

Arrr, how can we lose here ?
Outrunned by so many nations - where is your pride my fellow countrymen ?

Damn, I feel responsible too - haven't drunk a single beer since December.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Bah. UK didn't come top.

Frankly I'm disappointed and disillousioned by my country. What's happened to it? Time to head out and do my part to get us back up there...

That's the spirit, when the going gets tough, the tough start chugging.For God, Queen, and *hic* Country

[KukriKhan]

Well ....That's 5+ *hic* drinks......for breakfast
Though really having a binge drink is like starting at breakfast and carrying on for a week or two ...or maybe more .

Yeah, that sure has changed over the years. My folks would refer to some neighborhood guy as being "on a binge" when he'd drink all day, every day for a week, 10 days (usually in response to some tragedy). Those guys were distinct from drunks, who drank all day every day for years, tragedy or not.

5 at a sitting? That's not even a pinocle afternoon at the bar with my buddies.

[ShadesPanther]

Well the figure is pretty much gonna double at the weekend, also for the UK aswell

[Tribesman]

Well the figure is pretty much gonna double at the weekend, also for the UK aswell

Well the weekend starts early down here , 1/2day tomorrow , no work Friday , there would be no work monday either , but since I am going on an 8 day binge in Wales saturday morning monday doesn't matter

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I don't understand why St. Patrick's day is such a big deal in England, relative to the other Saints days. I can pretty much guarantee that I, and all of my fellow students, will be going out on Saturday for St. Patrick's day, yet when I tried to drum up support for a St. David's day celebration, no-one seemed to care. I even wore a daffodill all day.

We won't celebrate St. George's day either.

[Fisherking]

It is obvious the government sees it and has for quite a while. It is strange that a pint of Guinness or a fifth of Irish whiskey is cheaper in Germany than it is in Ireland.

I suppose that means if you would like to get drunk on Irish spirits you should go to Germany…LOL

[BDC]

I don't understand why St. Patrick's day is such a big deal in England, relative to the other Saints days. I can pretty much guarantee that I, and all of my fellow students, will be going out on Saturday for St. Patrick's day, yet when I tried to drum up support for a St. David's day celebration, no-one seemed to care. I even wore a daffodill all day.

We won't celebrate St. George's day either.

St George is associated with skin heads and beating up minorities. St Patrick is associated with getting drunk and partying. The crucial difference.

[Ja'chyra]

5+ drinks isn't a binge, its a warm up, 5+ days is a binge or bender as we Weegies call it.

What constitutes a drink anyway, playing M2TW on a friday night I can easily have 3 "drinks", does the fact that each of these drinks are pints of vodka and irn bru, about 9x35ml measures, change this?

[BDC]

5+ drinks isn't a binge, its a warm up, 5+ days is a binge or bender as we Weegies call it.

What constitutes a drink anyway, playing M2TW on a friday night I can easily have 3 "drinks", does the fact that each of these drinks are pints of vodka and irn bru, about 9x35ml measures, change this?

I think that'd coount as 9+ units... So yes, binger! Bringer of social breakdown!

[Ja'chyra]

I think that'd coount as 9+ units... So yes, binger! Bringer of social breakdown!

Doh, I blame it on my mother for being a single parent.






Only kidding mum.