Drinkers are being warned that they are at risk from serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer if they drink just a little bit more than they should, in a new government campaign launched this week.
The Change4Life campaign exposes that drinking slightly over the lower-risk alcohol guidelines can seriously impact long-term health. A series of television adverts highlight that regularly drinking around two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triple the risk of developing mouth cancer and double the risk of developing high blood pressure.
A shocking new survey has revealed that most people are unaware of the serious illnesses caused by drinking more than the guidelines. For example:
- 85 per cent of people did not realise it increases the risk of developing breast cancer;
- 66 per cent did not realise it increases the risk of bowel cancer;
- 63 per cent did not realise it increases the chance of pancreatitis;
- 59 per cent did not realise it increases the risk of mouth, throat and neck cancer;
- 30 per cent did not realise it increases the risk of high blood pressure; and
- 37 per cent did not realise it reduces fertility.
A new online calculator is available on the Change4Life website to help people check how much they are drinking and work out whether they need to cut down.
Leaflets have also been made available and will be distributed around Rotherham, in GP surgeries, pharmacies and libraries.
The campaign also offers handy hints and tips on how people can cut down – such as having booze free days, not drinking at home before people go out, swapping to low-alcohol or alcohol free drinks and simply using smaller glasses.
Mel Howard, Drug and Alcohoil Coordinator at NHS Rotherham, 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.”
“It isn’t just binge drinkers that damage their health. There are simple ways we can all cut down how much alcohol we drink if we need to. Small changes can really make a difference – so try swapping a glass of wine or beer for a soft drink or having a few alcohol-free days a week.”
The campaign includes a new online calculator to help and encourage people to check how much they are drinking. There is advice and information to help people cut down if they find they are drinking over the guidelines.
It is estimated 10 million people in Britain drink more than the recommended limits for alcohol, which puts one in five of us at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and weight gain.
Information on the campaign, including the online calculator can be found on the Change4Life website: http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/cutting-down-alcohol.aspx
For advice and information about resources available in Rotherham for young people, their parents/carers and professionals on alcohol and related issues visit: www.callitanight.co.uk
Note to Editors:
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The lower-risk alcohol guidelines are that men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day and women should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day.
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Drinking heavily regularly on just one or two days a week can also be harmful to your health in the long term.
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The campaign runs for six weeks from Sunday 5 February. TV adverts will be shown in between popular evening programmes on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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The survey was conducted by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,123 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9-12 December 2011. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18 and above.
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Further information, supportive quotes or to view a copy of the TV advert please contact the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221.
NHSR12-P10
Last reviewed: 09/02/2012
