WHY HAS ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION DECLINED IN COUNTRIES OF SOUTHERN EUROPE

Alcohol consumption seems to be decreasing in the traditional wine cou ntries of southern Europe. This paper describes the evolution of alcoh ol consumption over the last 30 years in France, Greece, Italy, Portug al and Spain. For this purpose, data on alcohol production and per cap ita alcohol consumption in southern Europe are examined and their reli ability discussed To analyse alcohol-related mortality, liver cirrhosi s death rates are also reviewed Since 1980 overall alcohol production has increased by 10%, while wine production has decreased by 13%. The consumption of pure alcohol equivalent per capita has continually decr eased, from a peal? of 14 litres per year in 1974 to 10.4 litres in 19 92. The reduction is dramatic for wine (42.3%), and slight for spirits (4.7%), while beer consumption has grown by 36.6%. These data seem to confirm a European trend towards the homogenization of drinking patte rns. Marketing factors, public health policies, the evolution of price s and taxation, European Union agricultural policies, a growing awaren ess of public opinion about the toxicity of alcohol and competition fr om non-alcoholic drinks are all factors that may partially explain the se observed changes.