Cyprus kids ranks high in alcohol consumption

Cypriot kids were ranked third in alcohol consumption rate and binge drinking in Europe according to a 2016 study by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).
 
A similar study in 2011 also ranked Cyprus 5th among 36 countries in the purchase of alcohol and 2nd in consumption of alcoholic beverages in bars, clubs etc.

The findings were presented to the House Education Committee by the Cyprus Anti-drugs Council which discussed the availability and consumption of alcoholic beverages among minors as well as the measures which should be taken to combat the phenomenon.

According to the report, alcohol is easily available to 88% of minors in Cyprus, while nearly half have drunk more than five drinks during an event over the past 30 days.

Excessive drinking occurs in about 57% of boys and in 45% of girls, showing an increase of 1% and 11% respectively since the last study in 2011, while the same report shows that the ease at which alcohol is available to youngsters in Cyprus is 10% more than the European average, reports Cyprus Weekly.