PRESS ASSOCIATION -- About 20% more alcohol is being sold in Scotland than in England and Wales, according to a report.
NHS Health Scotland said its figures show a widening gap in sales between Scotland and south of the border and that the gap has never been wider since it was first examined 17 years ago.
The report said the average amount of alcohol being sold per person over the age of 16 in Scotland last year was 11.8 litres, 23% more than the average 9.6 litres for England and Wales.
Almost 23 units a week are being sold per adult in Scotland.
National guidelines recommend a limit of 21 units a week for men and 14 units a week for women.
Experts said the difference is down to more off-trade sales, with almost 2.5 times more vodka being sold in this way per adult in Scotland.
On-trade sales volumes of alcohol fell by 28% in Scotland between 1994 and 2010, cheaper off-sales business increased by over 50% in the same period. An estimated two-thirds (67%) of all alcohol sold in Scotland in 2010 was through off-sales.
Dr Laurence Gruer, director of Public Health Science at NHS Health Scotland, said: "This report shows clearly that in Scotland we drink on average over a fifth more alcohol per adult than in England and Wales, and that most of the difference can be accounted for by cheap off-sales of spirits, especially vodka.
"This at least partly explains why levels of alcohol-related harm are much higher north of the border. The findings underline the need to take action to tackle low-price off-sales if we are going to limit the damage alcohol is doing across Scotland."
The report, Monitoring And Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy: An update of alcohol sales and price band analyses, was published by NHS Health Scotland and the information services division of NHS National Services Scotland.
It is part of the Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland's Alcohol Strategy portfolio of evaluation studies, which was set up to measure the effectiveness of the Scottish Government strategy to "change the country's relationship with alcohol".
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The impact of excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.56 billion each year. That's £900 for every adult.
"We have already taken bold action against this most pressing of problems. Our alcohol framework outlines a package of over 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.
"In addition we have banned quantity discounts and restricted promotions in off-sales, measures which will take effect from October this year. However, these figures published today alongside the 3% increase in alcohol-related deaths reported earlier this month, make it clear to me that further action is needed still.
"Evidence shows us that minimum pricing is the most efficient and effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms. That is why we will introduce a Minimum Pricing Bill as a priority in the autumn."