Responding to the health paper released today by the Cabinet Office’s Behavioural Insight Team that refers to student drinking in the UK and methods to reduce over-consumption by students, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware says:
"Drinkaware supports the behaviour change approach to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles as it reinforces the social norming approach the charity is currently testing among 18 to 24 year old Welsh students.
“We know that perceptions of social norms strongly influence how we behave. Research has found that we are often inaccurate in these perceptions and tend to assume that others behave in a less healthy and socially responsible manner than is actually true.
"Drinkaware was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government to carry out a social norming project to establish and explore the attitudes, behaviours and social norms around alcohol of students in Welsh universities, and to design and implement suitable interventions to challenge these and correct misperceptions.
"The specific goal is to change behaviour towards alcohol. Measures of success will include observed changes in student consumption rates, observed student drinking patterns, and reductions in alcohol-related incidents involving students and student incidents requiring medical attention.
“For more information please contact Drinkaware at www.drinkaware.co.uk."
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For more information or to interview a spokesperson please contact:
Laura Ellis
Communications Officer
Email: lellis@drinkaware.co.uk
Tel: 020 7766 9914
Mob: 07917 135436
Notes to Editors:
Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals. For further information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk