Both aggregate national estimates and individual-level survey data show that trends over time in overall alcohol consumption remained virtually stable over the past 20 years. However, the same is not true for all population sub-groups. In particular, higher-risk drinking behaviours were found to be on the increase in young adults, especially women, in several countries examined. Evidence from Finland shows that the rise in drinking among adolescents can be explained with an increased alcohol availability and an increase in money available to young people for their leisure time activities, including alcohol consumption (e.g. Finland, as discussed by Rahkonen and Ahlstrom, 1989). In addition, alcohol products have become more affordable in many countries, and this is notably true for younger consumers (Rabinovich et al.,