Drinkaware response to Office for National Statistics report on social trends
02 Jul 2010
Reacting to Office of National Statistics report on social trends*, including statistics on binge drinking and alcohol related deaths, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:
“You don’t have to be dependent on alcohol to be drinking at levels that put your health at risk. Over one if five men and one in seven women are technically binge drinking at least once a week, probably without even realising.
“Drinking more than double the daily unit guidelines** – equivalent to more than two glasses of wine if you’re a woman and three pints of beer if you’re a man - is bingeing and regularly drinking at this level can increase the chances of developing serious health conditions like liver damage, some cancers and depression.
“With the stark increase in alcohol related deaths in the UK it’s vital now, more than ever, that we tackle the harms caused by alcohol misuse. With more and more people of all ages dying from alcohol misuse it’s essential we change people’s relationship with drinking, and education has a key role to play.
“Making sure people know the effects of regularly drinking to excess is an important part of changing people’s attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol. Providing people with tips and advice on how to cut down also goes a long way to tackling our binge drinking culture. Keeping tabs on units and spacing alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water alone won’t solve the problem, but will help people cut back.”
Ends
For more information, or to interview a spokesperson, please contact:
Becky Medhurst
Communications Officer
Email: bmedhurst@drinkaware.co.uk
Tel: 020 7766 9909
Mob: 078 2797 1740
Notes to editors:
• *Office of National Statistics, Social Trends, 2010 edition (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13675)
• **Drinkaware advises people not to regularly drink more than the daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175ml glass of wine).
• Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) 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 affect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works with the medical profession, the alcohol industry, government and independent members to achieve its goals.
- Page last updated by
- Laura Ellis, 27 Jul 2010.
