Letter: Feeling confused by the figures? Blame it on the drink

From Dr Eamonn Clarke

Sir: The Government has announced an increase in the recommended amounts of alcohol that adults can safely consume ("Doctors' fury over 'safe' drink limits", 13 December). The Health Secretary's assertion that this change is in line with recent scientific evidence seems somewhat illogical. Stephen Dorrell himself in interviews has said that the scientific studies have shown a slight reduction in the risk of heart disease to people consuming one glass of red wine a day. But this sort of cardio-protective drinking can safely be accomplished within the original guidelines.

The man and woman in the streets will deny that government guidelines make any difference to their drinking, but I suspect that this is like advertising, in that we all consciously deny taking any notice of these campaigns yet they have a demonstrable effect. The likely outcome is that people will subconsciously feel that it is safe to drink more alcohol and will do so.

Yours faithfully,

Eamonn Clarke

Secretary, North-West Anglia

GP Committee

Wisbech, Cambridgeshire