Scotland's growing cirrhosis levels are linked to booze problem

Scotland is in the grip of a health crisis after research revealed that more than half of men and 30 per cent of women drink to excess.

Sales figures have revealed that the country has the eighth highest alcohol consumption in the world per head and one of the fastest-growing epidemics of liver cirrhosis.

It is estimated nearly 50m litres of pure alcohol, equivalent to 11.8 litres per person over 16, was consumed by Scots in 2007 - almost two litres more than in England and Wales where the average was 9.9 litres per person. This average of 11.8 litres equates to 570 pints of 4% beer or 125 bottles of wine - enough for every adult to exceed the sensible drinking guidelines for men, of 21 units a week, every week of the year.

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