Survey finds high levels of binge drinking in HK

A survey by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society has found that almost half the number of Hongkongers who consumed alcohol between August and November went binge drinking at least once.

According to the cancer research group, in a poll of 1,019 respondents 698 said they consumed alcohol during the period, and 45% of the group said they engaged in binge drinking at least once, SCMP reported.

Binge drinking is defined by the group as a minimum of five cans of beer, five glasses of wine or five shots of spirits in one sitting.

The polling period though also happens to coincide with major consumer drinks event such as Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival staged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Nonetheless, Hong Kong is a major wine consumer in Asia, and its per capita alcohol consumption is forecast to grow to six litres by 2020, according to a joint report by Vinexpo and IWSR.

The survey results also highlighted low vigilance towards drinking’s side effects. Liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure were ranked as top three side effects by the respondents, but less than 30% of interviewees linked drinking to cancer.

Only 2% of interviewees linked drinking with breast cancer, the most common type of cancer among women in Hong Kong.

Earlier this year, the Hong Kong government enforced a ban to forbid retailers from selling alcohol to minors effective from 30 November.