Ireland has more regular drinkers than any other country in the EU but is followed closely by Britain, Denmark and The Netherlands, research published in Brussels has revealed.
52% of the population drink alcohol regularly
Irish people were twice as likely to enjoy a regular drink than the European average, according to statistics on 1999 released by Eurostat, the EU statistical agency.
The statistics show that in Ireland, 52 per cent of the population drank alcohol regularly in 1999, compared with 25 per cent for the EU average. Denmark and Britain (both 44 per cent) and The Netherlands (43 per cent) also recorded high percentages, while the lowest were observed in Italy (12 per cent) and Spain (19 per cent).
Some 86 per cent of Irish people believed they lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle, compared to the EU average of 81 per cent. The figures also show that 65 per cent of the Irish population exercised at least twice a week, while 32 per cent smoke and 35 per cent admit to feeling stressed.
Half of women aged 15-24 were regular drinkers, far outstripping the European average of just 19 per cent. Young Irish men are also heavier drinkers than their European counterparts, 53 per cent of those under 25 being regular drinkers compared to an EU average of 33 per cent.
The most frequent drinkers are men aged between 25-34, with 80 per cent enjoying a regular drink, compared to 53 per cent of British men in the same age group.
Greeks smoked the most (45 per cent) and recorded the highest stress levels in the EU (72 per cent). Only 30 per cent of Finns and 22 per cent of Swedes smoked, and both countries recorded the lowest stress levels, with figures of 27 and 30 per cent respectively.
The data is taken from Health Statistics: Key Data on Health 2002- a collation of EU surveys from 1970-2001.
Reacting to the figures, the Minister for Health said the issue of alcohol abuse was "an area of ongoing concern".
"I am especially concerned about protecting children and reducing pressure on teenagers to drink, preventing and limiting harm in the drinking environment, and preventing alcohol-related road accidents and deaths," Mr Martin said in a statement.
"Legislation has been drafted to control the advertising, sponsorship, marketing and sales promotion of alcohol products in order to reduce the exposure of children and teenagers to alcohol marketing."
Mr Martin said another alcohol-awareness campaign was planned for later this year.
