CAMRA calls for review of alcohol units

In its submission to the Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into alcohol guidelines, the consumer organisation argued that the current guidelines fail to take into account the latest medical evidence.

CAMRA also claims that the Government is failing to adequately communicate the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. Current guidelines, which were formulated in 1995, indicate that women should drink between two to three units a day, and men between three to four units a day.

In the submission CAMRA said: “The guidelines seem to portray the recommended allowance as an absolute upper limit, which is not the case. There is, in fact, a wide gap between the safe recommended limit and the point where drinking will have a severe health impact.”

CAMRA said it would support a revision to the Government’s alcohol advice to highlight that light to moderate alcohol consumption is likely to benefit health.

It said current Government drinking advice is communicated in an “overly prescriptive way”, which is not supported by the evidence.

CAMRA head of policy & public affairs Jonathan Mail said: “CAMRA is calling for a Government review of the daily unit guidelines in light of new evidence. Several major new studies into the benefits of light and moderate alcohol consumption have been published since the Government’s sensible drinking guidelines were last seriously looked at in 1995.

“Light and moderate drinkers do experience improved mortality outcomes compared to non-drinkers. Evidence suggests this is because alcohol in moderation can often provide a degree of protection against coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, gallstones, senile dementia and Parkinson’s disease.”