TV soaps blamed for binge drinking

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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Britain's favorite soap characters spend too much time drinking in their local pubs and encourage people to binge drink, Alcohol Concern said on Monday.

The charity said alcohol was shown on primetime television every eight minutes, often in a light hearted manner, without showing the consequences of heavy drinking.

"The message that comes across is that drinking is the norm and getting drunk carries no adverse consequences," Eric Appleby, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said.

The charity called for more scenes showing hangovers, alcohol-related illness and aggressive behavior linked to drinking and fewer storylines portraying drinkers having a good time.

Many of the biggest storylines in soap operas -- including births, marriages and rapes -- are set in the local pub such as EastEnders' Queen Vic and Coronation Street's Rover's Return.

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