Alcohol-related deaths most common with pub staff

Publicans, managers of licensed premises and bar staff are the occupations most likely to be affected by alcohol-related deaths, official figures revealed today.

The Office for National Statistics looked at 13,011 deaths among men and 3,655 deaths among women aged from 20-64 in England and Wales between 2001 and 2005

It found that bar staff were top in the proportional mortality ratio for men, being 2.23 times more likely to die of alcohol related problems than average, followed by publicans who were 2.02 times more likely.

Women in the industry were also most at risk, with bar staff being 2.03 times more likely to suffer an alcohol related death and publicans and managers being 1.93 times more likely.

Male hotel and accommodation managers were lower down the list, being just 1.46 times more likely.

Waiters and waitresses and chefs also showed up as having an above average death rate from alcohol related problems.

Michael Quinn, founder of the Ark Foundation, which helps hospitality workers affected by alcohol and drug addiction, was not surprised by the findings, pointing to the amount of peer pressure typical in many businesses in the industry.

"The guys in hospitality, they are in a work hard, play hard culture," he said. "What these guys tend to do is work hard then socialise together afterwards. If you're in the bar you have access all the time to free booze. No matter how good the stock take is a good barman will find a way of helping himself."

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By Owen Hill

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