Press Releases

Mayor backs Made to Measure scheme to limit alcohol consumption

Thursday, 21 December 2006

The Mayor Helen Quigley has backed a new scheme that aims to help people limit the amount of alcohol they consume over the Christmas season.

The ‘Made to Measure’ scheme, which is co-ordinated by the Civic Forum on Alcohol and funded by the Western Drug & Alcohol Co-ordination Team, will involve off licences being issued with free thimble measures for distribution to anyone purchasing bottles of spirits.

These measures will allow customers to accurately calculate the number of units that they consume and give to guests.

The Mayor said it was important people limited their alcohol intake during the Christmas period.

“Christmas is obviously a time of the year when they are a lot of parties and family gatherings at which alcohol is freely available. These are enjoyable occasions but it is important that people keep a close eye on the amount of alcohol they consume. The Made to Measure scheme is an excellent idea and will help party-goers keep within same limits of consumption.”

Eamon O’Kane, Director of Derry Healthy Cities, highlighted the importance of the new project.

“When visiting friends people are often offered “a little something” by generous hosts who can be slightly ‘heavy handed’ in free pouring spirits. Whilst a well-intentioned act the amount of alcohol that can have a negative impact on health is much smaller than the majority of the public realise. The ‘Made to Measure’ scheme seeks to help drinkers keep track of their alcohol consumption over the coming weeks and to raise awareness of binge drinking and its health effects.”

“Binge drinking does not mean prolonged bouts of drinking that can last for weeks, but is defined as drinking at least 10 units of alcohol for men (about five drinks) and at least seven units of alcohol for women (about four drinks) in a single session.”

Mr O’Kane added: “Evidence shows that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with high blood pressure which is the main risk factor for stroke. There is a strong association between binge drinking and fatal heart attacks. It is important therefore to ensure that the public is aware of the number of units of alcohol they are drinking in order that they can stay within their daily and weekly limits – limits which we should remind people are a guide not a target.”

As a guide, alcohol consumption should not exceed:

· For men up to 4 units per day but not more than 21 per week
· For women up to 3 units per day but not more than 14 per week

In conclusion Mr O’Kane said: “Whilst we wish everyone a fun and Happy Christmas we would remind them of the effects of Alcohol Misuse on an individual’s health as well as on the wider family and community. We must all take responsibility for tackling alcohol misuse and one small step that we can take is to monitor our own alcohol intake and that which we give to our guests. So when purchasing alcohol this year, please bring home a free measure and use it.”

End

Notes to Editor

· Derry Healthy Cities is a public health charity focussed on health improvement in the North West.

· The Civic Forum on Alcohol is an interagency, inter sectoral body established to begin to address the negative impacts of alcohol on the health and image of this city.

· Binge drinking is a particular feature of the drinking culture here and doing it regularly - even once a week - has major health consequences. Research conducted by the HPA showed that of those people surveyed who drank alcohol, almost half the men (48%) and over a third of women (35%) had engaged in at least one binge drinking session in the week prior to the survey.

· The short-term damage caused by binge drinking includes accidents and injuries from assaults, anti-social behaviour, alcohol poisoning, unplanned pregnancy and STIs. The long-term health effects of binge drinking include brain, heart, liver and pancreatic damage, cancers such as mouth and throat cancer, and an increased risk of breast and stomach cancer.

Further press information can be obtained by contacting the Marketing and Communications Section, Derry City Council, Tel. 028 7137 6504.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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