Introduction: The objective of this study is to estimate total annual alcohol consumption based on self-reported data from a representative sample of the French population and to measure the contribution to total alcohol consumption by age and level of consumption. Method: The data analyzed are from the 2005 Health Barometer, a random telephone survey of the general population conducted among 30,514 individuals aged 12 to 75 from late 2004 to early 2005. The total annual amount consumed was calculated based on responses to questions regarding the frequency of alcohol consumption and the amount consumed per unit of time. Results: Seventeen percent of the population did not consume alcohol in the past 12 months. Alcohol drinkers aged 45–75 (44% of the sample) account for 60% of total consumption, while those aged 12–44 (56% of the sample) account for only 40%. Male alcohol drinkers account for 73% of total consumption. Seventy-seven percent of alcohol drinkers consume fewer than 1,000 drinks per year (or 2.7 drinks per day) and account for 60% of total consumption. Eighty-two percent of alcohol drinkers consume fewer than 2,000 drinks per year (or 5.5 drinks per day) and account for 87% of the country’s total annual consumption. Discussion: The public health goal of reducing overall alcohol consumption will not be achieved if prevention efforts target only heavy drinkers; rather, it requires that light and moderate drinkers reduce their consumption (the prevention paradox). (R.A.)