Australians threatening their health by downing 773 drinks a year

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26181107-36398,00.html

HUNDREDS of thousands of Australians would be saved from alcohol-related disease if the nation's thirst for booze dried up by a third, a new report has found.

On average, Australians down 773 standard drinks a year - the equivalent of 703 pots of beer, 552 stubbies, 93 bottles of wine or 39 bottles of spirits.

On average, each Australian drinks 9.8 litres of pure alcohol a year - more than Americans (8.4 litres), Canadians (8 litres), Swedes (6.6 litres) and Norwegians (6.4 litres).

If the average intake could be cut to 6.4 litres - about 505 standard drinks, or 459 pots - more than 380 deaths would be avoided each year.

Cutting the nation's alcohol thirst would also save the health sector $789 million and the leisure industry $435 million, according to the report.