06.02.12
Alcohol campaign highlights health risks
Many people are unaware of the health risks associated with drinking slightly over alcohol guidelines and how this can seriously impact on long-term health, research shows.
A recent YouGov poll showed that most people are unaware of serious illnesses caused by regularly drinking above recommended guidelines, including the increased risk of developing breast or bowel cancer, pancreatitis, high blood pressure and reduced fertility.
Change4Life has launched its first alcohol campaign, warning people of these risks and providing guidance to help people drink more safely. The campaign highlights that regularly drinking two large glasses of wine, or two strong pints of beer a day, triples the risk of developing mouth cancer and doubles the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Research shows over 9 million drinkers inEnglandregularly drink above the recommended guidelines. These state that men should not regularly drink more than 3 to 4 units a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units a day, where regularly means every day or most days of the week.
Change4Life’s recommendations include using an online calculator to check how much people are drinking, having alcohol-free days, swapping to low alcohol drinks and using smaller glasses.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley said: “It’s crucial we support people to know about how drinking too much poses risks to their health and how they can take control of their drinking.
“It can be easy to slip into the habit of having a few extra drinks each day, especially when drinking at home. But there can be serious health risks. Don’t let drinking sneak up on you.”
Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said: “Drinking too much is a major public health issue. This campaign highlights how easy it can be to use a glass of wine or beer to unwind at the end of a busy day but these drinks stack up and can increase your risk of high blood pressure, cancer or liver disease.
“The campaign with its new online calculator is available on the Change4Life website to help and encourage people to check how much they are drinking and if they find they are drinking over the guidelines, can help them cut down.”
The campaign launched on Sunday 5 February and will run for six weeks.
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