And Finally... Scots drink 100 more pints a year than English (apparently)

This roughly equates to Scots downing an extra two pints or beer, or two glasses of wine, every week compared to other Brits.

The NHS Health Scotland report looked at alcohol sales in the five years to 2009. It found that Scots have a preference for drinking at home - with one obvious explanation being that the alcohol sold in off-licences and supermarkets is three times cheaper per unit than that sold in pubs.

Alcohol sales in the off-trade are double those of licensed premises, accounting for 68% of all drink sales and retailing at around 43p per unit.

Drink sold in pubs and restaurants is charged at £1.31 per unit and accounts for 32% of all alcohol sales.

NHS Health Scotland's director of public health science, Dr Laurence Gruer, said raising the price of alcohol sold in shops and supermarkets would help address the problem of over consumption.

A second NHS report closely examined off-trade sales and the correlation between price and over-consumption.

It revealed that a man need spend only £4.40 on cider to exceed the Government's recommended weekly limits of 14 units for a woman and 21 units for a man.

Researchers found that 77% of all drink was sold at less than 50p a unit, 51% at 40p or less and 16% at 30p or less.

There were also variations in the price per unit according to the type of beverage, with 59% of vodka selling at less than 35p per unit, and 26% of cider for less than 20p per unit.

Dr Gruer said: "We know there are strong links between lower price and increased consumption - and between increased consumption and more alcohol-related problems of all sorts.

"In recent years, alcohol from off-sales has become relatively cheaper, encouraging many more people to drink harmful amounts.

"For example, at 20p per unit, just £4.40 will buy enough cider to exceed the maximum recommended weekly amount for a man or £3 for a woman."

"These findings underline the need for action on cheap off-sales alcohol in Scotland.

"It's by no means the only action needed, but the research shows clearly that nothing else is as effective as raising the price of alcohol."

The average pint of medium strength lager and a standard glass of red wine contain between two and three units of alcohol.

The Scottish Government is proposing a minimum price per unit of alcohol in legislation being considered by the Parliament.