By Ian Neubauer
National Alcohol Beverage Industries Council (NABIC) released a submission today questioning changes to proposed drinking guidelines by The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Existing guidelines recommend up to two standard drinks per day for woman and four for men, with the difference taking into account gender differences in the biological effects of alcohol on the human body. However, the revised draft recommends up to two drinks per day for both women and men.
“The Australian retail liquor stores sector supported and actively promoted the 2001 NHMRC Australian Alcohol Guidelines and also supports the periodic review of this important document,” said Australian Liquor Stores Association (ALSA) chief Executive, Terry Mott, whose organisation is also questioning the proposed guidelines.
“But the draft revised Guidelines do not take physiological and biological differences into account and recommend an upper limit of two standard drinks per day for both men and women. Based on the rationale in the revised guidelines, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support this change,” Mott said.
Mott said the "dramatic" reduction in the daily recommendation would leave consumers confused and distrustful. “Any new guidelines should be based on the most recent and relevant medical and scientific thinking,” he said. “Continuity and consistency is critical to public health messages if they are to be in any way effective.
“We believe that the existing 2001 Guidelines are more relevant to tackling problems associated with the population’s current drinking habits, and are supported by a more thorough examination of relevant scientific literature,” he said.
The NHMRC is considering all submissions and is expected to publish a final draft by May.