6.0 "Alcohol Abusers" and Total Consumption

6.1 Assuming that 'alcohol abusers' are people who regularly drink too much for their own or other people's good, the claim that the drinks industry favours the effective targeting of 'alcohol abusers' should be regarded with scepticism, as, clearly, they are the industry's best customers.

6.2 In all societies the relatively small proportions of consumers who drink the most account for most of the alcohol that is consumed. The precise proportions no doubt vary, but across Europe the heaviest 20-30 per cent of drinkers probably account for 60-80 per cent of the alcohol consumed. 9 The industry is therefore economically dependent on heavy drinkers who, presumably, must include if not be coterminous with the 'alcohol abusers' the industry claims should be the sole target of preventative programmes.

6.3 Moreover, were the consumption of the heaviest drinkers to be reduced to less harmful levels, this of itself would probably have the effect of reducing apparent per capita consumption by the 25 per cent - or possibly more - to which the drinks industry objects so strongly.