Dr Ruth Hussey, director of public health for the north west, said some areas have so many pubs and bars that it is difficult for residents to have a sensible approach to drink.
She said licensing committees should look at alcohol-related accident and emergency figures and other health issues before deciding to grant new licences in certain areas. Dr Hussey said: "It's the environment that you're in that either makes it hard or easy to follow a healthy lifestyle.
"If you're in an environment that says `let's drink to excess' … it makes it harder to exercise choice."
Dr Hussey's suggestion has been backed by Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians.
He said 25 years ago that cirrhosis was a disease of middle-aged men, but more recently was becoming more prevalent in men and woman of all ages.
But publicans have criticised the proposal to link pub licences to health statistics.
Phil Burke, of the Manchester Pub and Club Network, said: "This is rubbish. We are good, responsible licensees working under the Licensing Act, which is rigorous in checking premises and how they are operated.
"We work with the health authority promoting safe drinking, we give information out in bars and clubs and run poster campaigns. We are doing all we can. This is yet another attack on responsible licensees.
"Supermarkets should be made more accountable for their actions. They aid binge drinking, do cheap promotions and stock alcopops and cheap ciders that bars stopped stocking years ago.
"The conditions which apply to pubs and clubs should apply to supermarkets too."
But Jan Brown of City Safe, a police project designed to promote responsible running of venues, said the issue was complex.
She said: "It is about getting the balance right and getting good quality licensed premises with bosses prepared to invest in training and taking a hard look at places which are not run appropriately.
"It also involves saying, `do we actually need this number of venues when there are premises nearby where they can't attract anybody'.
"It is a situation that needs to be constantly evaluated and that includes looking at accident and emergency admissions."
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But the same goes for takeaways and obese people/kids ? its control that is needed in the home.
Is this woman for real, the pub game is virtually dead on its feet. Public houses are closing down at the rate of 26 a month. At this rate in 5 years time there will be now where to go for a good old British pint. People like this get on my nerves, with thier views governing how we live.
Ace for once I agree with you, we binge drink in this country yet in countries where older children are allowed half a small glass of wine that has been watered down with an evening meal or special occasion they don't have the same problems as we do, discipline begins at home
Alcohol is so readily available that closing a few outlets isn't likely to help, in my opinion. Education into the dangers of drink is what is needed.
I agree control is needed in the home but how many kids see their parents "leathered" "Wasted" whatever you want to call its its "Drunk" - if its seen as the norm what can we expect. Drinking in moderation is fine but boy have I heard some excuses, its Xmas, its New Year, Birthday, Wetting the babys head, more like ruddy drowning it. Kids learn from an early age and imitate their parents corner shops are the worst offenders at least pubs are more selective who they serve alcohol to not so the corner shop. I agree lots of teenagers dont look their ages so lets bring in the ID card.
Tricia, that is possibly the most pointless justification put forward for ID cards so far.
There are already plenty of recognised proof of age schemes, along with driving licences and passports.
Suggesting that we need an ID card, at massive cost in terms of money and privacy, in order to fulfill the same purpose is absurd.
I don't drink or smoke slowly they want to erode our freedom.
I am sick of these so called I know better, why don't they go away and lead their own lives instead of trying to lead everyone elses.