‘I don’t want to feel guilty about having a drink’: Female-lead pressure group aims to fight back against ‘anti-alcohol lobby’ who ‘demonise’ booze

Drinkers’ Voice pressure group aims to lobby against ‘misleading’ advice

Members argue that government advice can’t apply to everyone

They want to take away the guilt that is associated with social drinking

Source: Daily Mail

By Martha Cliff for MailOnline

10 September 2017

A new initiative driven by women is aiming to fight back against the ‘anti-alcohol lobby’ who ‘demonise’ booze.

Drinkers’ Voice dismisses ‘misleading’ alcohol warnings from the UK’s four chief medical officers.

Instead members claim that drinking in moderation can ‘play a positive role in life’.

Official Government advice is that people should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol – equivalent to six pints of beer or glasses of wine – during a week.

However, the pressure group argue that these guidelines are not one size fits all.

Amy O’Callaghan, one of the founders of the group, told The Times: ‘It’s ridiculous. People that are significantly different in weight and stature carry alcohol differently. Women respond to alcohol differently so it doesn’t make sense .’

She adds: ‘There is no one speaking up for the man and woman on the street. We want to represent people who are saying “I know my limits and I don’t need them to be dictated to me” and I don’t want to feel guilty for having a drink.’

Medical experts warn that just one or two heavy drinking episodes a week could increase the risk of dying from cancer, other long-term illnesses or injuries.

But Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, who set up Drinkers Voice, claim the official advice is ‘misleading’ and ‘poorly evidenced’.

Director Colin Valentine said in an email to members on Sunday: ‘The current debate about the links between alcohol, health and well-being is dominated by those who believe that alcoholic drinks should be demonised, increased in price and limited in availability.

‘The Government continues to suppress research which shows that moderate drinking is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

‘More effort should be devoted to those who misuse alcohol, and less on the vast majority of drinkers who are responsible in their drinking habits.’

The Drinkers’ Voice website says: ‘Many of us have had a few too many drinks when we are out celebrating birthdays, weddings and other great occasions. Alcohol plays an important role in marking these celebrations.

‘But we can also have a glass of wine over a long lunch and not feel compelled to abuse alcohol or upset people around us.

‘Moderate drinking is what suits you, as long as your actions aren’t having a negative impact on you or others.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4870264/Drinkers-Voice-aims-fight-against-anti-alcohol.html#ixzz4sIBXI1qT