Brits now binging on booze all days of the week

London, July 17 : It seems that boozing-up is not just a weekend affair for Brits anymore, for a survey suggests that they have now started to hit pubs and bars almost every single night.

The survey by market analysts Datamonitor also points out that the reason for this rise is that pubs are attracting a new range of customers ever since the smoking ban came into being.

"A switch to more midweek drinking is a key driver behind the increase," The Daily Star quoted Matthew Taylor, who produced the report, as saying.

While there is a large population of Britons heading to the bar, the survey showed that Britain still has the largest proportion of non-pub drinkers as well.

The charity Alcohol Concern attributes this trend to cheap booze available at supermarkets and off-licences, which have changed the way people drink.

"Alcohol was once almost entirely centred on the corner pub and involved friendship and talk," said a spokesman.

He added: "Now many more people are able to afford to unwind with a drink every evening at home. But they need to be wary about regularly drinking large amounts over the long term as it can seriously affect their health."

The survey results show that Brits sink 7.4billion pints of alcohol a year, with the Spanish second on 4.2bn pints.

ANI