South East Has A Drinking Problem According To NHS Stats

Following Fleet-People's expose on 'Horny Hampshire' a few months back, in which we revealed Hants as one of the worst offenders in the national infidelity stakes, shocking new data has emerged that might provide a reason for the trend.

New research examining alcohol consumption habits has revealed that- brace yourself ladies- women in the South East region are among the most prolific drinkers anywhere in the UK.

The latest government stats, published by the NHS Information Centre, found that 60% of women questioned in the South East had enjoyed a drink the previous week, the highest proportion of any other region.

12% admitted to drinking five out of seven days of the previous week, ranking just below our sozzled South West neighbours.

Binge drinking also seems to be a popular pastime for local ladies, with 30% claiming they drank more than 3-4 units (the recommended limit) in a single day, while 14% had doubled this, consuming 6-8 units in a day.

The statistics suggest that overall alcohol consumption has gone down across the nation, but conversely deaths due to excessive drinking have risen.

The Guardian article showcasing the figures suggested that a combination of government anti-drink measures and the recession accounted for the small shift.

Before Fleet-People courts any accusations of sexism, it should be stated that men in the South East fared little better according to the figures.

75% of men reported they had had a drink the previous week, ranking the region first alongside the South West, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. Binge drinking figures were similarly high.

Across both sexes, the South East region came joint first for regular alcohol consumption, though binge drinking was statistically less prominent .

Unfortunately, the results were published before the World Cup, so we can (probably) safely assume that the figures will at least double over the June/July football love-in.

You can view the stats and article here.

So, is it really fair to blame Hampshire's low fidelity rate on ladies and gents on the lash, or is this research too generalised? Where does Fleet fit in in terms of drinking culture? For those sober citizens casting their eyes over the numbers, what do you make of the importance of alcohol in the local area? Should the drink-drive limit be lowered as was recently proposed? Is anyone reading this in Fleet drunk right now? Get posting with your thoughts.