The UK Chief Medical Officers’ proposed new guidelines to limit the health risks associated with the consumption of alcohol are out for consultation.

The Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for both men and women is that:

• You are safest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level.

• If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more. If you have one or two heavy drinking sessions, you increase your risks of death from long term illnesses and from accidents and injuries.

• The risk of developing a range of illnesses (including, for example, cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases with any amount you drink on a regular basis.

• If you wish to cut down the amount you’re drinking, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days each week.

Views on these new guidelines are being sought. Read the full document here