tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post2819417123328152998..comments2024-03-28T16:35:26.665+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: How wrong can you be? - Saul Bellow writing 24 years ago (pre-internet)Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-28992680858992188132014-06-12T22:35:11.478+01:002014-06-12T22:35:11.478+01:00I think the impression of widespread abuse of drin...I think the impression of widespread abuse of drink is rather specific to the UK. Over here in the US alcohol abuse is not considered quite the public scourge that it is in Britain; obesity, on the other hand, is a constant topic of debate.<br /><br />According to this paper, alcohol consumption in the US peaked around 1980.<br /><br />http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-1/30-38.htm<br /><br />And certainly I have an impression that American alcohol consumption was much higher in the years leading up to Prohibition, and indeed widespread alcoholism was the main factor in public support for a total ban on alcohol.<br /><br />What's also interesting is that, at least in the US, alcohol use is positively correlated with socioeconomic status and education. While poor Americans are more likely to eat fatty diets and smoke, they are less likely to drink. I don't entirely know the reason. One could be that alcohol is expensive, though cigarettes are also getting more expensive. I also suspect some of it is American car culture and stricter penalties for drunk driving in recent decades, both of which discourage drinking among people who are dependent on their cars for most of their daily needs.jgresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03287009809340785879noreply@blogger.com