Millions are becoming heavily dependant on alcohol

Under-age drinking is also a growing problem, according to the British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales, which is calling for a public awareness drive to highlight the dangers.

Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of BMA Cymru Wales, said alcohol was also associated with other problems, including casual unprotected sex, crime, and disorder.

"Alcohol is the most commonly misused drug in Wales," he said.

"We would like to see the Welsh Assembly Government running a public awareness campaign about the dangers of excessive consumption of alcohol with particular emphasis on the risks to health."

People who develop unhealthy patterns of drinking in their teenage years are at a greater risk of developing dependence on alcohol in adulthood Dr Richard Lewis, BMA Cymru

Dr Lewis said the association was concerned about the marketing of alcopops - sweet-tasting drinks laced with a high alcohol content and very popular with young people.

"The appeal of 'designer drinks' is greatest between the ages of 13 and 16," he explained.

"People who develop unhealthy patterns of drinking in their teenage years are at a greater risk of developing dependence on alcohol in adulthood."

BMA Cymru Wales believes that all alcoholic drinks containers and adverts should display a prominent warning of the dangers of excessive drinking.

The organisation also wants information on the maximum recommended daily level of alcohol, and clear information on alcohol content.

It would like alcohol education to begin in primary school and to be dealt with separately from drug abuse advice.

The report has been published in response to doctors' concern that high strength alcoholic drinks are being targeted at the teenage market.

Drinks aimed at youngsters are blamed for much under-age drinking

Recent studies have indicated a rise in the number of young people between the ages of 11 and 15 who are drinking alcohol regularly, and an increase in the amount consumed at each session.

"Under-age drinking can have other unwanted consequences," Dr Lewis warned.

"Teenagers are more likely to have casual sex and are less likely to use condoms when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in western Europe.

In June it emerged that at least six times as many people are dependent on drink than Class A drugs in England and Wales.

There are three times as many deaths directly from alcohol misuse as drug misuse each year.

The study showed that every day 13 people die as a direct result of alcohol misuse.

In total, 3.8m people were thought to be dependent on alcohol in England and Wales - three million men and 800,000 women.