NHS campaign dispels myth that only binge drinking harms health

A new campaign backed by major health charities will warn drinkers of the unseen health damage caused by regularly drinking more than the NHS advises.

The £6 million Government funded campaign shows the damage that is being done to drinkers’ organs while they are drinking in a pub or at home.

This is being launched by health minister Gillian Merron today and is part of the cross-Government strategy to tackle the harms that alcohol causes.

The Department of Health has developed the campaign in association with Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and the Stroke Association to create the series of stark TV, press and outdoor adverts showing the harm that regularly drinking more than two drinks a day can cause.

A new YouGov poll launched to coincide with the campaign shows that more than half (55%) of English drinkers misguidedly believe that alcohol only damages your health if you regularly get drunk or binge drink.

The survey of over 2,000 adults also found that 83% of those who regularly drink more than the NHS recommended limits of 2-3 units a day for women (about two small glasses of wine) and 3-4 units a day for men (about two pints of lager) don’t think their drinking is putting their long-term health at risk.

With 10 million adults in England estimated to be drinking above the recommended limits, this is equivalent to around 8.3 million people potentially unaware of the damage their drinking could be causing.

Although 86% of drinkers surveyed knew that drinking alcohol is related to liver disease, far fewer realised it is also linked with breast cancer (7%), throat cancer (25%), mouth cancer (28%), stroke (37%) and heart disease (56%), along with other serious conditions.

Scientific evidence shows that men who regularly drink more than two pints of lager a day are three times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to get mouth cancer.

Women who regularly drink more than two glasses of wine or more a day are 50 per cent more likely to get breast cancer and twice as likely to have high blood pressure, which could lead to a stroke or a heart attack.

Merron said: “Many of us enjoy a drink – drinking sensibly isn’t a problem. But, if you’re regularly drinking more than the NHS recommended limits, you’re more likely to get cancer, have a stroke or have a heart attack.

“With alcohol misuse damaging so many people’s health and lives, the Government has teamed up with Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and the Stroke Association to produce this straight talking campaign. It’s important to show drinkers the unseen damage alcohol can do to their body.”

Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England: “Over a quarter of the population regularly drink above the Government’s recommended daily limits, with over two and half million adults regularly drinking above the higher-risk levels, putting their health at risk of serious diseases and conditions. It is important people realise the harm they, unknowingly, can cause to their health by regularly drinking more than the recommended daily limits.

“This campaign gives people the facts about the effect alcohol can have on their body and provides support for people who choose to drink less.”

Over 9,000 people in the UK die from alcohol-related causes each year. The World Health Organisation estimates that 20% of alcohol-related deaths are from cancer and 15% are from cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke, while 13% are from liver disease.

Joe Korner, Director of Communications for The Stroke Association said: "We are pleased to be involved in this campaign because it alerts people to the long term health risks of regular heavy drinking.

“Stroke is the biggest cause of severe adult disability and hits 150,000 people a year. So, it’s vital that people understand that women who persistently drink more than 3 units of alcohol a day and men who drink more then 4, are more likely to get high blood pressure, the single biggest risk factor for stroke."

The campaign website www.nhs.uk/drinking launches on Monday 1 February and will feature interactive tools to arm people with the information they need to make healthier choices.