Nearly 39 per cent of young men reported abstaining from alcohol, compared with just 16 per cent of men aged 65 and over. Among women, 31 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 said they did not drink, while the figure fell to 17 per cent among women aged 55 to 64. Those aged 65 to 74 who do drink are almost twice as likely to consume alcohol at risky levels compared with adults aged 25 to 34. Campaigners welcomed the fall in risky drinking among younger people but warned that alcohol harm remains widespread. Roberts added: "The most effective way to reduce the record number of alcohol deaths is through measures such as minimum unit pricing, clear health warnings on alcohol labels, restrictions on alcohol availability, and comprehensive bans on alcohol marketing."