With the summer holiday season underway and lighter evenings mean getting together with friends or family may be more likely, Warwickshire residents are being asked to consider how much alcohol they’re drinking.

 

Following recent revision of the recommended limits (now 14 units per week for both men and women) and advice that there is no safe limit for drinking alcohol, Warwickshire County Council has launched a campaign to target the number of high risk drinkers within Warwickshire.

Research published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) in its report: Statistics on Alcohol: England 2015, shows that 24.2% of adults are drinking above low risk levels. This increased risk is defined as consuming between 22 and 50 units of alcohol per week for males, and between 15 and 35 units of alcohol per week for females.

Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, said: “We want people to enjoy themselves but without putting their health at risk. We’re asking people to consider swapping their alcoholic drink for an alternative – try a mocktail or simply alternate drinks with water. There are no safe levels of drinking alcohol however drinking within the recommended weekly limit will ensure you remain within the low risk category.”

Cllr Alan Webb, Warwickshire County Council’s Chair of the Adults, Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee added: “Reducing your alcohol intake has many benefits. Not only are you at lower risk of related illness, it can help you to lose weight and improve your mental health and wellbeing.”