Stand for binge drinking

A Government unit set up to tackle the problem of alcoholism among teenagers believes it has discovered the main cause of binge drinking - standing up.

The unit concluded that standing around in a pub downing pint after pint is to blame for an increase in drunkenness among young people.

A report on alcohol misuse, to be published later this year, will suggest a move towards a more relaxed style of drinking.

The document will also point out that offering cut-price drinks during-"happy hours" contributes to binge drinking, which leads to violence and crime.

A government source said: "Vertical drinking is a key issue. If everybody is standing up and drinking 15 tequilas for a pound each then that is a problem."

The unit examined drunkenness around the country and looked at which establishments have the worst record of violence. It discovered that places without seats are among the worst and prompt people to drink more. This created nogo areas in town centres, occupied by aggressive, drunken youths.

The Government has launched a number of initiatives to deal with alcohol misuse, including issuing fines of £40 and £80 for drunkenness and rowdy behaviour in some regions. This measure is expected to be extended nationally.

Alcohol was responsible for seven per cent of deaths among young men in 2001. The figure was only two per cent 20 years ago.