Brits Unsure of Safe-Drinking LimitDecember 1, 2003
Research Summary
A poll commissioned by the group Alcohol Concern shows that only 7 percent of men in Britain and 22 percent of women know how much alcohol experts believe can safely be consumed in a day, the Independent reported Nov. 23.In addition, the poll of 1,001 adults from throughout Britain also found that many were unaware of the harmful health effects of binge drinking and drunkenness.
As a result of the study's findings, Alcohol Concern is calling on the British government to move forward with its national plan for reducing the harm caused by alcohol.
"It was promised for this summer and never came, then it was promised for the autumn, but we're still waiting. The sooner ministers implement a national strategy in England, backed with significant investment, the sooner we can reverse the growth in binge drinking and reduce alcohol dependency," said Eric Appleby, chief executive of Alcohol Concern.
Government research released last month found that alcohol increases criminal behavior. According to the report, drinking was linked to one million fights a year, 19,000 sexual assaults, and 360,000 cases of domestic violence.
Government statistics also show that an estimated six million people in Britain binge drink, while eight million drink more than the medically established limits of three to four units of alcohol for men and two to three for women.
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