New drink limit 'just for bingers'

Drinkers are to be given separate daily and weekly alcohol limits to prevent them from consuming their recommended allowance in a one-sitting binge

Drinkers are to be given separate daily and weekly alcohol limits to prevent them from consuming their recommended allowance in one-sitting binge.

Doctors claiming that current recommendations fail to tackle binge drinking have called for new guidlines.

Dr Nick Heather, of Alcohol Research UK, insists there should be two types of limit - one dictating how much we can safely drink per week and another stipulating an amount which should never be exceeded in one go.

His proposal to the Commons' Science and Technology Committee comes amid growing concern about the increase in binge drinking in the UK and the toll it is having on our health as a nation.

But Dr Richard Harding, who drew up the limits in 1995, argues that small amounts of alcohol can be good for health and urged the committee to retain a sense of perspective in any decision making.

He added that the improved heart health that comes with moderate drinking outweighs any increased risk of breast cancer in women.

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Health before coming up with its recommendations but if the motion is passed, the new limits could have a major impact on the way we drink in future.

So is this another example of the Nanny State? Or do you think Dr Heather has a point? Let us know your thoughts in the box below.

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