New methods for estimating alcohol consumption

December 14, 2007: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is to update the methods it uses to estimate alcohol consumption in drinking surveys,
reflecting increases in the alcoholic strength of some drinks and the measures in which they are served.

The changes, which are set out in a new report, relate mainly to wine consumption but also update estimates of the alcoholic strengths of beers, lagers and ciders.

Recent years have seen an increase in the availability of stronger wines, especially those from the New World, while wine glasses larger than the traditional 125ml are increasingly popular in licensed premises.

Reflecting this, ONS surveys will, in future, include a question relating to wine glass size, while at the same time the presumed alcoholic content of an ‘average’ glass of wine will be increased. New estimates for beers, lagers and ciders will also be introduced.

While not reflecting a real change in individuals’ drinking habits, says the ONS, the updates produce higher overall estimates of average weekly
alcohol consumption. Applied to General Household Survey data for 2005, the updated methodology shows average weekly alcohol consumption as approximately one third higher, up from 10.8 to 14.3 units.

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