Gender- & age-specific suicide rates in 14 western European countries were analyzed in relation to per capital alcohol consumption. A positive & significant relationship between per capita consumption & gender- & age-specific suicide rates was revealed most often in northern Europe & found least often in southern Europe. A stronger absolute alcohol effect for men was found only in northern Europe, whereas the relative alcohol effect was somewhat stronger for women in both northern & central Europe. The suicide rate in younger age groups was more often significantly related to per capita consumption than suicide among the elderly in northern & central Europe but not southern Europe. (44 refs.)