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The last 50 years of UK drinking guidelines
Back in the 80s, the number of drinks thought to be ‘too much’ was 56 for men and 35 for women per week, but how have the UK’s drinking guidelines changed over the years?
The UK’s drinking guidelines have changed significantly over the last 50 years with the first set of advice for individual drinking only placed in 1984. Though seemingly a far cry from today’s standards, each modification to the guidelines reflected the research available at the time, as well as the generally more relaxed attitude to drinking in years gone by. Here is a rough outline of each of the major guidelines over the last 50 years.
1984: The first advice on individual drinking was made. It came in a pamphlet titled That’s The Limit published by the then Health Education Council. ‘Safe’ drinking was 18 standard drinks for men and nine for women per week.
It also stated that the amount deemed ‘too much’ was consuming anything more than 56 standard drinks for men or 35 for women.
1987: Following a report by the Royal College of Physicians, the UK government suggested guidelines for ‘sensible drinking’ which was then defined through units rather than through drinks.
It suggested 21 units for men and 14 for women per week. It said this should not be over a bout of just one or two days but spread across a longer period. The report also suggested that both men and women should aim for at least two or three alcohol-free days a week.
1995: The Sensible Drinking report published in the mid-90s set daily guidelines to help people ‘decide how much to drink on single occasions and to avoid excessive drinking with its attendant health and social risks’.
It said no more than three or four units for men and two or three for women should be consumed per day. It was also advised that people take a 48 hour break after any episode of heavy drinking.
The report also set guidelines for pregnant women. Though it advised against any drinking in the first three months of pregnancy, the limit was set for one or two units per day at a maximum of once or twice a week after that.
2009: The Chief Medical Officer for England introduced new guidelines for children. Those under 15 years old should never consume alcohol, and 15-17 year-olds should drink alcohol no more than once a week. The limit set for adult men and women should not to be exceeded by 15-17s on any occasion.
2016: In 2011 an inquiry was launched into the UK’s drinking guidelines and after years of discussion, new recommendations were released in 2016.
The new guidelines reverted back to weekly limits to give a benchmark for the majority of the population who do not drink daily.
The unit intake is set for both men and women and stated that should be no more than 14 units per week. If up to this amount is consumed, it should be spread evenly over three days.
It stated that there is no ‘safe’ level of drinking for women who are pregnant.
2023: The 2016 guidelines represent those of today.
Though the guidelines are currently set to 14 units a week, there is some evidence to suggest that drinking certain types of alcohol in moderation can actually be beneficial to our health. For example, for over 40s, having a drink or two a day was linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. Another study found that having a post work-out beer could also be beneficial for replenishment and boosting immunity. A further study even suggested that the COVID-19 risk was 10–17% lower in red wine drinkers, and 7–8% lower in white wine and Champagne drinkers compared to those who drank nothing.
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