ITALIAN MEN (68.5%) DRINK MORE THAN WOMEN BUT LESS THAN 10% DRINK TO EXCESS

According to data collected recently in a study by the Italian Federation of Public Businesses (FIPE) conducted on alcohol consumption in Italy (a sample of 805 adults were used), 65% of adult males consume alcohol at home, 68.5% out, and only 10% admit to exceeding alcohol limits, while only 52% of all Italian women consume alcohol. The study was presented at the “Beer Planet” convention held recently in Rimini.

Particular attention was also given to the theme of drunk driving and it appears that 7 out of 10 Italians have driven from a restaurant after having drunk alcoholic beverages, though driving home from a disco is less frequent. This is a sign that designated drivers are being organized for nights that are spent out drinking. In fact, 33% of those surveyed do not drink at all if they are the driver, while 54% drink a very limited amount, and 10% will give the responsibility of driving home to someone else if they feel they have surpassed their alcohol limits.

When asked, however, about the “zero tolerance” stance that the Italian government has taken, five out of ten Italians do not agree with the new norms and consider measures like the increase in street controls (34%), and more severe fines for those who do drive drunk (29.5%) to be more efficient. Interesting data was also collected regarding the consumption of alcohol in night clubs: 44% of those interviewed declared that they do consume alcohol when out at night clubs but the remaining 66% do not drink at all.
The presentation of this study was also an occasion for FIPE director Edi Sommariva to illustrate the requests the organization has made to the political world: the abolition of the ban on serving alcohol after 2 AM; the lowering of the alcohol limit to 0.2 g/l only for categories at risk (the young and newly licensed and professional drivers); introduction of a ban on consuming alcohol in places that are not specifically certified; safer and better maintained roads; education campaigns for young people on the risks of excessive alcohol consumption.