Poll shows over-60s drink twice as often as teens

Adults aged over 60-years-old drink alcohol on nearly twice as many days a week as those aged between 16 and 30-years-old, a survey has suggested.

Poll shows over-60s drink twice as frequently as teenagers and young adults in their twenties

The poll conducted by Channel 4 News surveyed a total of 1,119 adults on their drinking habits, 509 teenagers and young adults and 610 over-60s.

The results showed that on average teenagers and young people in their twenties consumed alcohol on 1.36 days a week, while those over 60 had an alcoholic beverage on 2.68 days a week.

In addition, 15% of over those over 60 admitted to drinking alcohol every night of the week, significantly higher than the 1% of those aged 16 to 30.

However experts highlighted the older generation “knew their limits” and drank more responsibly compared to younger people who are more inclined to binge drink.

“Older people don’t tend to drink their entire week’s alcohol limit in a single night,” Paul Green, director of communication at Saga, which offers insurance services for the ovr-50s told the Daily Mail.

“They might enjoy a few glasses of wine with the meal or a gin and tonic in the evening and they’ve earned it.

“They certainly aren’t going to pre-load and drink for the purposes of getting drunk. It’s all part of social interaction.

“Drinking to excess of binge drinking is clearly wrong, but older people tend to be wiser, they know how to live life to the full but know their limits.

“A glass of wine, pint of ale or G&T are part of the way many socialise and relax.”