PEOPLE are drinking more than previously thought according to shock new figures.

The surge in popularity of stronger wines and the use of larger measures in pubs and bars has led the Office of National Statistics to change the way they calculate how much the nation consumes.

And the results have shown a significant increase with the weekly average rising from 10.2 units per person to 13.2.

In the past, a glass of wine was classed as one unit. However, under new criteria a small glass of wine (125ml) counts as 1.5 units of alcohol, a medium glass (175ml) counts as two units and a large glass (250ml) as three units.

The new calculations, the first change since 1978, were added to figures calculated in 2006. With the changes, men's consumption increased by 27 per cent, while women's rose by 45 per cent.

And the results could lead to people who think they can have one glass of wine and still drive in trouble with the law.

The legal limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. This cannot be accurately converted into units due to a number of factors such as body size.

But Professor Mark Bellis, from the North West Public Health Observatory, said just one glass could put drinkers over the limit.

He added: "In certain cases one glass can equal half a bottle. The advice has to be don't drink at all if you are driving."

Prof Bellis also said that the figures identified a `worrying cultural change'. He said: "They identify the fact that people are drinking more than we thought and are consistently underestimating the amounts they drink.

"Drinking at home has become the acceptable norm. People get into a routine where they come home and open a bottle to relax every night.

"Put that on top of drinking at weekends and celebrations and it all adds up. It is very easy to lose track of how much you are drinking, which could have long-term health implications."

Women and professional workers are most affected by the change because they drink the most wine. The figures also showed men drink twice as much as women - with an average 18.7 units per week compared to nine units for women.

People classed as professional or managerial workers drink 15.1 units per week. This compares to men and women classed as routine and manual workers, who consume an average 11.6 units every week.

People in Scotland drink an average 11.6 units per week - less than England and Wales, where rates are 13.7 and 13.5 units a week.

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