The survey, carried out by a voluntary organisation, Campaign Against Drunken Driven (CADD), spoke to 1,000 people in the city, including 761 from the 16-24 age group.

“Nearly 16 per cent of the 16-18 years age group consume alcohol on a weekly basis and around 12 per cent of the under-age drinkers spend Rs 1,000 on alcohol on a weekly basis,” the study revealed. CADD head Prince Singhal said here on Saturday: “The survey found that there is a demand for bringing down the current drinking age from 25 years to 21 years. I believe that it should not be lowered below 21 as teenage drinking is too dangerous.

“While suggesting the age of 21, we should not forget that teenage drinking is one of the major causes of drunken driving accidents. Nearly 38 pc of those who die of drunken driving in India (total 90,000 deaths) are below the age of 18.”