Kannadigas and Keralites take to drinking alcohol much before the rest of the country. While the average age for alcohol initiation has come down from 28 in the 1980s to 19 nowadays, in Karnataka and Kerala, the tippling age begins at 18 – the lowest in the country.

In contrast, average Delhites begin boozing at 25 – the highest initiation age in the country, says a new alcohol atlas of India. The average age of tobacco initiation in India is 15 years.

Alcohol-dependent Bangaloreans not only spend more on their drinking habits, they spend more than what they earn. Most take loans to support their habits and with 18 per cent of alcoholics losing their jobs in one year, according to a NIMHANS research.

However, Karnataka seems to have performed better in controlling the spread of alcohol than its neighbours. Rural families spent 24 per cent of their family income on alcohol while urban families spent 32 per cent of their income.

Alcohol abuse is soon to emerge as a public health issue. To spread awareness the Union Health Ministry is proposing to celebrate October 2 as world anti-alcohol day, said Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss.