Social Aspects and Communication Regarding Alcohol and Health via National Drinking Guidelines

Abstract

This paper looks at definitions of ‘drinks’ and ‘low risk’ or responsible drinking guidelines from different countries and how to balance a message—based on the Canadian, UK, WHO and US guidelines—that accepts that drinking in moderation can form part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. It should be noted that commercial communications regarding the benefits of moderate consumption are banned by advertising and marketing codes across the globe. The discussion looks at themes common to guidelines, where they exist, as well as at the importance of incorporating messages regarding pattern of drinking, drinking with food, messages for older populations, the family setting, and the role of parents as regards their responsibilities towards their children.

Notes

Helena Conibear is Director of Alcohol in Moderation, a journal with a Council of 20 specialist professors and medics that reports on the social, scientific and medical research regarding alcohol. Visit http://www.alcoholinmoderation.com for a free database of research from the last ten years. Helena is also Co-Director of The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research, a forum of 40 professors and medics who comment on emerging research in context with other papers via http://www.alcoholforum4profs.org. She is also the founder of The Alcohol Education Trust, which provides resources and material on responsible consumption to 11–16-year-olds and their parents in the UK via schools via http://www.talkaboutalcohol.com and http://www.alcoholeducationtrust.org