More girls than boys getting ill from drink

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from the Aneurin Bevan Health Board show that between April 2006 and September 2010, a total of 332 out of the 1,094 people admitted to hospital due to excess alcohol were under 18, 156 boys and 176 girls.

Between April and September last year, a total of 41 out of the 146 people admitted to hospital were under 18, in 2009/10 60 out of the 274 were under 18 and in 2008/09 there were 57 under 18s in a total of 217 admissions.

In 2007/08 there were 68 under 18s admitted to hospital out of a total 181 admissions, and in 2006/07 106 out of the 276 admissions were under 18.

Over the past five years, the number of girls being admitted for excess alcohol has remained consistently higher than the number of boys, with 54 girls and 52 boys admitted in 2006/07, 35 girls and 33 boys in 2007/08, 34 girls and 23 boys in 2008/09, and 36 girls and 24 boys in 2009/10. The only time the number of boys admitted has been higher was between April and September last year when 17 girls and 24 boys were admitted.

The figures show that out of the total number of admissions for excess alcohol over the past five years there were more men than women.

In 2006/07 there were 168 men and 108 women, in 2007/08 there were 118 men and 63 women, in 2008/09 126 men and 91 women, in 2009/10 163 men and 111 women and between April and September last year there were 85 men and 61 women.

Andrew Misell, policy manager for Alcohol Concern Cymru, said there is a drinking culture in Wales and young people see that as normal.

He said: "People under the legal age for alcohol need to be very careful. The age limit is there for a reason and their bodies cannot take it as well."

He believes news this week to introduce a minimum price on alcohol will not make a difference to youngsters, who can sometimes get access to alcohol in small shops.