A British government report released this week says that young professional women are among the country's most prolific drinkers -- twice as likely to drink at least five days a week and drinking greater quantitites than other women.

A report published by the No 10 strategy unit, which said that alcohol-related problems cost the country £20 billion a year. Binge drinking is killing 20,000 people a year and causing social chaos, the report said.

Professional men are also high on the list of regular drinkers. One-fourth of male professionals and managers drink at least five days a week. Men in unskilled occupations have a drink on fewer than one in five days, according to the report.

The report said 40 percent of men's drinking days and 22 percent of women's feature binge drinking -- defined as consuming twice the recommended guidelines in one day - six units for women and eight for men.

To address the problem, the report suggested raising taxes on alcohol. It also recommended restricting alcohol advertising -- although the report said that advertising does not increase drinking, but creates brand loyalty.

"We do welcome this report and it seems very positive in that it hasn't shied away from the difficult issues, such as advertising and pricing." Eric Appleby, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, told reporters. "What is important now is that the Government has the courage to face down the drinks industry, who are going to be doing some serious lobbying to make sure their business is not restricted.

"We also need to make sure we have the access to and availability of treatment services for people with alcohol- related problems, something which was less touched upon in the report."

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