MPs consider new binge drinking limit
MPs are considering introducing guidelines over a new maximum daily alcohol limit in order to encourage people not to binge drink.Speaking to ministers, Nick Heather, professor of alcohol and drug studies at Northumbria University, said that guidelines should be updated to include a "binge drinking limit".
He recommended the upper floor on daily alcohol consumption should be set at eight units, but said that ministers should not consider raising the overall weekly allowance.
Instead he suggested that the government should continue to advice weekly safe drinking limits coupled with the new average for a single day.
Making his proposals to the Commons science and technology committee, he suggested that this would represent four cans of lager or four 175ml glasses of wine.
The Daily Mail reports that Professor Heather also said there is much less consensus today as to any potential benefits of moderate alcohol consumption than there was in the past.
"In no circumstances should the committee recommend that the guidelines should be increased," he is reported to have said.
