Alcohol consumption patterns in the department of Calvados (France).

The individual consumption of alcoholic beverages was determined by interviewing 1.976 people, a representative sample of the population. 92% of males and 74% of females drink alcohol but no more than 4% of females consume over 40 g per day, against 39% males. The average intake is greater in rural than in urban areas. Wine is the most popular beverage but the consumption of cider remains important in rural areas. Apple brandy is also consumed in sizeable quantities by rural males. There are few beer drinkers, except in the younger age groups. The implications of these results are discussed. They probably reflect changes in drinking patterns over time; the traditional locally produced cider and apple brandy are progressively abandoned by the young, who turn to beer and aperitifs. Consequent changes in alcohol related pathology are expected.