Binge-drinking among teenagers has soared to record levels, with girls outstripping boys in their alcohol consumption, according to a new report.
For example, figures show Britain is among the worst in Europe for teen drunkenness and alcohol abuse, with more than a quarter of 15 and 16-year-olds getting drunk at least three times a month.
Research by the charity Developing Patient Partnerships revealed that 24 per cent of all young adults drink alcohol purely in order to get inebriated.
Of those aged 18 to 24, 59 per cent drink to get drunk, while 43 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds do the same.
Selling alcohol 'next to bread and milk' was encouraging drinking at home and driving the damage to health, just as much as binge-drinking in pubs and bars, he warned.
Far too many lives are lost to alcohol misuse, and yet the evidence suggests that many of these deaths could be prevented if governments, took a few simple steps.
