Alcohol Concern welcomes the Stroke Association’s warning to Christmas binge drinkers

3rd December 2004

Srabani Sen, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said:

?We welcome the Stroke Association?s efforts to increase awareness of alcohol-related problems. The survey results highlight the lack of awareness of current Department of Health guidelines for sensible drinking and the fact that people are unsure of just how much they?re consuming. This emphasises the desperate need for more public information and education about the effects of excessive drinking.

?The seriousness of these findings is underlined by Government statistics revealing almost six million people admit to binge drinking, which accounts for 40% of all drinking occasions among men and 22% by women.

?There is a clear link between heavy drinking, high blood pressure and stroke. Lack of information on safer drinking means that many people are oblivious to the long term health problems they?re storing up for the future.

?The fact that people want more information is a green light for the Government to bring alcohol issues in from the cold, working with health professionals and individuals to prevent binge drinking becoming, as the Prime Minster recently put it, the new British Disease.?

ENDS

For more information contact Sophie Davison at the Alcohol Concern press office on 020 7928 7377.

Note to Editors

Alcohol Concern is the national agency working to reduce alcohol related harm in society. We campaign for action on alcohol misuse, making recommendations to key policy makers and professionals. We also help develop the level and quality of alcohol services available to problem drinkers and their families.

Date: 03 December 2004