London, Oct 22 : Drunkenness has doubled the number of women dying at an early age in 15 years, a study has revealed.

The Government commissioned study, conducted at the Centre of Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University, found that among women aged between 35 and 54, drink-related deaths have soared to almost twice the level they were in the early 1990s.

Statistics found that alcohol tolled more than 8,000 deaths in both men and women a year, compared to over 4,000 deaths in 1991.

Astonishingly, the death rate for men and women of any age from alcohol abuse stood as just two per 100,000 thirty years ago.

The data has also showed that one in five 15-year-olds drinks almost one bottle of wine a week. In other parts of the country, one in eight 12-year-olds is also drinking as much.

The study doctors have said that 12-year-olds were also being diagnosed as alcoholics. They noted that cirrhosis of the liver, an alcohol-induced problem was being found in teenagers.

Earlier studies had shown that 15 boys and girls under 16 every day drink themselves into hospital accident and emergency departments.

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and a liver specialist, said that Government plans to review cut-price drinks promotions were welcome but besides that much more needs to be done.

“To make a difference and turn the tide of rising health harm, particularly in women, we are going to need to see some action on price, promotions, availability and advertising,” the Daily Mail quoted him, as saying.

“Alcohol is our favourite drug. It is around 24 hours a day and we need to examine the regulatory framework around it if we are to make any real impact,” he said. (ANI)