Regular consumption was arbitrarily defined as the intake of at least three “usual amounts” a week for a period of at least three consecutive months, irrespective of the type of beverage. “Regular drinkers” comprised men who drank alcohol on at least one day a week, and, if drinking on only one occasion, consumed less than 50 g of alcohol. Daily alcohol intake was categorised into four groups at intervals of 25g: 1-24 g; 25-49 g; 50-74 g; and 75 g or more. Intake was also ranked according to the weekly frequency of alcohol consumption: 1 day; 2-3 days; 4-5 days; and 6-7 days. The average total daily alcohol intake was calculated firstly on the basis of a typical week’s consumption, irrespective of whether consumption was daily or not, and secondly on the basis of the number of days on which alcohol was consumed.
