Is alcohol good for health?

Enjoyed responsibly, alcohol encourages social interaction and relaxation. Research has also shown moderate alcohol consumption may confer health benefits for some people, for example protection from cardiovascular heart disease and against certain forms of stroke.

Conversely, misuse of alcohol can damage health in a number of ways, including increased risk of liver disease and heart problems, and may cause domestic and financial problems. For health reasons, some people should not drink at all. In addition, alcohol should be avoided before driving a car or operating machinery.

How many units?

The current recommend guideline up to 2-3 units a day for women, 3-4 units a day for men.

A UK unit is 8g or 10ml of pure alcohol irrespective of the type of alcoholic beverage. A standard 25ml serving of Scotch Whisky contains 1 UK unit of alcohol.

For more information on responsible drinking, including a real brands unit calculator and other useful hints and tips see www.drinkaware.co.uk.

What can be done to prevent the misuse of alcohol?

The Scotch Whisky industry believes that the best way of preventing the misuse of alcohol is by education in sensible and moderate drinking and that this education should start at an early age. Attempts to reduce alcohol related problems by imposing massive taxes on drink or introducing restrictions on its sale and availability only penalise the great majority who drink sensibly, without reaching the problem drinker. Where these restrictive measures have been applied, they have led to social problems far worse than those they were intended to solve.


How does the Scotch Whisky industry help in prevention?

For many years The Scotch Whisky Association and individual whisky companies have sponsored research aimed at discovering why it is that there are those who seem unable to control their drinking. The industry also sponsors educational programme's based on such research, and targeted at those thought to be most at risk of misusing alcohol, for example young people and drivers who drink, as well as at doctors, nurses and social workers, because they are in the best position to help the problem drinker.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the health implications of consuming alcoholic drinks should contact their doctor.