UK alcohol guidelines
Know your limits: UK proposes tougher alcohol guidelines.
(Image credit: Decanter magazine, February 2016 issue)

UK ministers will dilute some of the harsh rhetoric used to recommend tougher guidelines on drinking earlier this year, according to reports.

The government has been consulting health groups and drinks makers ahead of publishing new guidance on drinking limits.

That is roughly equivalent to six 175ml glasses of wine at 13% abv.

uk alcohol guidelines, drinkaware

What the new guidelines mean for wine drinkers.
(Image credit: Drinkaware)

But, several UK media outlets, including the Daily Mail and Sunday Times, have reported that ministers are keen to show that they understand reality and that people like to enjoy a drink.

That would be a change of emphasis from when the recommendations were first published.

England’s chief medical officer, professor Dame Sally Davies, previously stressed that there was not a safe drinking level.

Current guidelines say that men should not drink more than three to four units per day, and women no more than two to three units.

The fresh guidelines will be the first major piece of alcohol policy published by the new Consverative government in the UK.

It is the first full review of UK drinking guidelines since 1995. Scotland has set the same limit, but can make its own policy.

Prime minister Theresa May’s views on alcohol have tended to focus on law and order.

As home secretary, she criticised the UK’s ’24-hour drinking culture’ but rejected minimum pricing.

DWWA 2015 tasting, red wine, right way to serve wine

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Drinking limits around the world – graphic

How do the UK's new alcohol guidelines compare to drinking limits in other countries around the world?

red wine

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

New UK alcohol guidelines cut drinking limit

There is no health benefit to drinking red wine and no one should drink more than a small glass of

Look after your palate, Simply Italian tasting

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Credit: Nina Assam

The science of two alcohol free days per week

Is it necessary to have 'several alcohol free' days every week and, if so, should those days be consecutive? Dr

red wine

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Red wine compounds may help prevent erectile dysfunction – study

Men who consume a diet rich in flavonoids – typically found in fruit and red wine – are less likely

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.