Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Binge drink scare tactics 'do not work'

Anushka Asthana and Denis Campbell
Sunday May 11 2008

Drinkers ignore government health campaigns because limits are seen as 'unrealistically' low

Ministers should accept that people enjoy getting drunk from time to time and stop labelling Britain a 'nation of binge drinkers', says a new study.

Research from the University of Bath found that the government's constant emphasis on the dangers of drunkenness had failed to change people's behaviour.

Public health messages instructing people to stick to moderate drinking were widely ignored, it concluded, especially among young people who thought the number of units recommended were 'unrealistically' low.

Dr Andrew Bengry-Howell, an expert in young people's behaviour who carried out the research, said efforts to shame heavy drinkers by branding them 'binge drinkers' had also failed.

The problem is that the definition of a binge drinker - someone who drinks to get drunk - could encompass the majority of people at some time in their lives, he said.
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