Chennai, Sunday 11 Dec 2008: Liquor consumption among youth, especially among those staying in college hostels, in the country has increased by 60 percent, according to a recent Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) survey.

The survey under ASSOCHAM’s Social Development Foundation indicated that alcohol intake in youth in the age group of 19 to 26, including those living in hostels, has registered a whopping 60 percent increase over the years.

Major cities and towns where respondents were interviewed by ASDF were Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad, among others. The findings said that rural families spent 27 percent of their income on alcohol, while the urban population spent 38 percent.

As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, sources in TASMAC (Tamil Nadu Marketing Sales Corporation) said the state ranked third in alcohol consumption after Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. In terms of volume, the state topped the list as a result of higher taxes, they said.

Alcohol sales in the state from 2004 to 2008 have registered a 61 percent increase.

Brandy is the most preferred liquor, followed by rum and whisky. In 2007-08, total sales in Tamil Nadu touched an all time high with TASMAC selling over 30 million cases, compared to 10 million in 2004-05, witnessing an increase of 60.9 percent.

There has also been a steady increase in average sales per month. In 2007-08, liquor sales was over 2.5 million cases, compared to over 1.5 million cases in 2004-05, a 60.9 percent increase.