A fluorescent lamp includes a light-transmissive glass envelope having an inner surface, means for providing an electric discharge to the interior of the glass envelope, a phosphor layer within the interior of the glass envelope and a discharge-sustaining fill gas and a mercury dose sealed inside the light-transmissive glass envelope. The light-transmissive glass envelope can comprise a light-transmissive mixed alkali glass envelope and the phosphor layer can comprise a phosphor layer of approximately three mg/cm.sup.2. A barrier layer of approximately 0.3 mg/cm.sup.2 or less of alumina can be applied to the inner surface of the light-transmissive glass envelope. The mercury dose can be present in an amount to provide a saturated mercury vapor pressure within the light-transmissive glass envelope throughout substantially the entire life of the lamp. The lamp can have an end-of-life mercury consumption value of approximately 0.63 mg or less, including 0.44 mg or less, and a warm-up value in the range of approximately 40 to 50 seconds or less, including 30 seconds or less.