Alcohol report - People want State to do much more

More than four out of five people in this country think that Irish people drink too much alcohol, according to a survey published yesterday by the Health Research Board.

Of course, this may tell us more about people’s preconceptions than their actual knowledge, because the same survey indicates that more than 90% of people do not know the recommended weekly maximum that a person can safely consume.

This highlights the need for information. It is frightening that so many people are unaware that the recommended weekly maximum is 14 standard drinks for women and 21 for men.