New guidelines recommending two alcohol-free days a week will fail to avert the public health disaster of a generation of former “hippies” who are at risk of alcoholism, experts tell Channel 4 News.
The Commons Science and Technology committee has issued fresh guidelines urging people to remain drink-free on at least two days a week to try and curb health problems related to excessive drinking.
But Professor Robin Davidson, chairman of Alcohol Research UK, has warned that the measures will do little to address habits of the former “flower-power” generation, who are at serious risk of alcohol related health problems.
He told Channel 4 News: “There is still a lot of work to do on the now at-risk group of over 60s, or over 65s. This group is potentially a huge risk.
“This ‘grey’ generation has disposable income, and have been brought up in the 60s during a time of experimentation and risk-taking. They don’t have the traditions of previous generations.
“There is a culture among 60-plus people of alcohol consumption going back to their youth. Once they leave their jobs, there is a huge risk and we are seeing it now – if they are retired, and they have income, and are drinking a bottle of wine with their tea every night, having two days off is not a very attractive option because they are doing nothing else during the day. This report doesn’t seem to address that particular group.”
There is still a lot of work to do on the now at-risk group of over 60s, or over 65s. Professor Robin Davidson, Alcohol Research UK
After taking submissions from a range of researchers and drinks industry representatives, the committee report suggested that the current guidelines, of up to four units of alcohol a day for men and three for women, are adequate.
But, the report said, “at least two alcohol-free days a week” would “enforce the message that drinking every day should be avoided, and would helpfully quantify what ‘regular’ drinking means to the public.”
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MPs on the committee also admitted there could be problems in expecting the drinks industry – which has been accused of dragging its heels when it comes to introducing measures such as minimum pricing – to comply with recommendations to spread a message of “sensible drinking”.
Companies have been urged to sign up to a voluntary pledge to have more than 80 percent of products on the shelf with “labels with clear unit content, NHS guidelines and a warning about drinking when pregnant” by 2013 under a Public Health Responsibility Deal.
But, the report added: “There is clearly a risk that drinks companies could face a conflict of interest as promoting a sensible drinking message could affect profits.”
Gavin Partington, communications director of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said they “welcome the recognition” of the “important role the alcohol industry has to play in communicating sensible drinking messages.”
However, he ruled out supporting minimum pricing measures, saying it is not a “solution to alcohol misuse”.
Alcohol companies also point towards projects such as Drinkaware – an independent alcohol awareness charity funded by the drinks industry – as evidence that they are willing to take on the responsibility of promoting “sensible” drinking practices.
The charity says that 1.2 million visits have been made to their online unit calculator page of their website in the last year, claiming active users have reduced their alcohol consumption by two to three drinks per week as a result.