BANGKOK, 15 November 2010 (NNT) -The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health) has revealed a frightening figure, stating that drinking kills 26,000 people, an average of three per hour, each year.

The report said deaths in alcohol-related road accidents accounted for one-third of all casualties. It also stated that the number of teenagers, aged 15-19, who took to drinking had been rising at an alarming rate. Around 2.5 million people around the world die from drinking every year.

5 million Thais, aged 15-59 years old, drink regularly. Of the number, 3 million have become alcoholics; only two percent of the 3 million have sought treatment.

NNt