The newly proposed guidelines are expected to be published later this month with the advice issued by Dame Sally set to be adopted by the chief medical officers for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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NHS to cut recommended alcohol consumption
Government guidelines on recommended alcohol consumption in the UK are expected to be slashed following the first review in 20 years.
Dame Sally Davies
NHS guidelines currently advise that men should not drink more than three to four units a day – up to 21 units or less a week – while women should not drink more than two to three units a day, or up to 14 units a week.
Updated guidelines on drinking while pregnant and for young people were published in 2007 and 2009. However the last full review was done in 1995 – 20 years ago. A full review was launched in 2013.
England’s chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies is expected to advise that people abstain from drinking at least two days a week and that the daily maximum intake of alcohol for men be reduced to the same level as for women, according to reports by the BBC. Scottish guidelines already advise people to abstain for at least two days a week.
The review is also expected to stress its belief that there is no “safe” alcohol intake and even drinking small amounts could cause diseases such as cancer.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said that Dame Sally Davis has reviewed the current drinking guidelines “with advice from a group of independent experts”.
