Moderate drinking is no more dangerous than driving, health chiefs have admitted – as they came under fire over “nanny state” guidance which says one glass of wine raises the risk of cancer.
New advice from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) slashes recommended drinking limits for men in line with those for women, and says that there is no safe level of alcohol at all.
The official guidance says that if people do drink, the maximum amount they should consume is 14 units a week – a sharp reduction from the 21 unit previously set for men.
In recent years, there has been growing evidence linking alcohol consumption with cancer.
Health chiefs attacked over 'nanny state' alcohol guide by @lauradonnlee on @Telegraph https://t.co/NgiZsqC6Pl pic.twitter.com/5HmeK5521K
— Will Corry (@slievemore) January 8, 2016
But this is the first time official guidance has suggested that even an occasional sherry or weekly pint could raise the risk of disease.