Professor Theresa Marteau explores this question in the BMJ arguing that limited evidence suggests the guidelines will have little impact on how much we drink as a nation.

However, she surmises that the effect might be seen indirectly by shifting the public discourse around alcohol consumption to include the increased risks of cancer, thereby increasing public acceptability of policies that are effective at reducing alcohol consumption. This kind of approach might work “…to reduce the blight without losing the delight that alcohol brings”.

 

Will the UK’s new alcohol guidelines change hearts, minds—and livers? Marteau TM. Access Full Text