Cypriot children drink more alcohol than their counterparts in the rest of Europe, but in a smaller quantity, according to survey released on Tuesday.

The Espad survey questioned 15 and 16-year-olds across Europe, and showed that a whopping 87 per cent of children surveyed in Cyprus consider it “easy or very easy” to access alcohol.

This figure dwarfs the European average of 78 per cent, though it was also noted that only 11 per cent of Cypriot children surveyed reported having been drunk in the last month – less than the European average of 13 per cent.

Cypriot boys are heavier drinkers than Cypriot girls, according to the survey, with 44 per cent of boys surveyed having reported drinking five or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion in the last month, compared to 36 per cent of girls.

Chairwoman of the Cyprus association of liver patients and friends Giannoula Koulla warned that “alcohol consumption can cause cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, throat, colon, breast and especially the liver.”

She called on the government to “take additional measures to educate young people about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption,” suggesting measures such as information campaigns for all ages of schoolchildren.