Brits do drink a lot compared to many nations. Though I've found myself in a few places in the US where the entire bar drinks itself under the table - most enjoyable.
It's all relative. If you exercise often and have a good diet, vices such as alcohol in moderation is not a problem and 14 units is taken the p##s. A lot of these reports are also factoring in bad diet, young adult binge drinking, sedentary lifestyles, etc.
