Alcohol prevention efforts curb male drinking habits: report

A study published by the Swiss University of Zurich on Wednesday found that young men are less likely to excessively drink when preventive measures are put in place by authorities.

The survey, which draws from a pool of some 5,700 males with an average age of 20, found that "fewer men drank alcohol hazardously or abusively in cantons with more preventive measures."

According to health officials, this mirrors international alcohol consumption trends which declined after specific alcohol laws were introduced.

The study found that regulations including a minimum drinking age and restrictions on the sale of alcohol and advertising have a preventive effect on young male consumers.

Experts found however that such measures remain by and large ineffective for "sensation-seeking" young adults and for those with a tendency to participate in antisocial behaviour.

"Evidently, it's very difficult to reach the men who are most at risk with the existing preventive measures," University of Zurich scientist Simon Foster explained.

Data analysis found that around 50 percent of the participants were high-risk drinkers, meaning that they consumed a minimum of six standard drinks in one session at least once a month.

Close to a third of respondents furthermore had problems related to alcohol which were manifested through heavy drinking and associated with harmful consequences and risks.

Professor Meichun Mohler-Kuo from the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute at the University of Zurich indicated that "young adults and young men are most vulnerable to high-risk and abusive drinking, which can develop into an alcohol addiction."

The survey, conducted by the University of Zurich in collaboration with Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), is part of a national study seeking to identify young men's consumption habits of various substances while monitoring their long-term evolution. Endit