Study: Number of regular drinkers declined in Czech Republic

The number of people who drink alcohol either daily or every second day declined from 19.8 to 15.4 percent between the years 2020 and 2021, according to a study conducted by National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ). The institute informed on Monday that the average rate of pure alcohol consumption per person also decreased, from 2020’s 8 litters to 6.9 percent in 2021 (excluding abstainers).

On average, one in six Czechs currently drink alcohol on a daily or semi-daily basis, according to the SZÚ. Meanwhile, 10.6 percent of men and 4.1 percent of women drink alcohol daily at harmful amounts.

Around a quarter of the population still smokes, the study indicates, although people are increasingly using alternatives such as e-cigarettes. While the number of smokers actually increased by 1.3 percent from 2020 to 2021, the National Institute of Public Health states that the overall trend has been one of smokers declining in the population since 2012.