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'Beer' pressure means people drinking more
1st Mar 2010
Peer pressure to drink to excess could be all in our minds, according to a survey published for the Department of Health today.
A YouGov poll of more than 2,000 English adults suggests over one in five (22%) people who have ended up drinking more than planned put it down to peer pressure, while 39% of drinkers feel the need to make up an excuse or lie to justify refusing a drink.
However, the survey for the Department of Health's ‘Alcohol Effects' campaign shows this is unnecessary as it appears peer pressure hardly exists.
The poll found:
• only 1% of English adults who drink, think less of people who refuse a drink or choose to drink less than them;
• just 4% expect their friends to keep up with them when drinking
• only 2% admit to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they don't want to.
The NHS recommends women do not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day (about 2 small glasses of wine), and men do not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day (about two pints of beer).
Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: 'Many of us enjoy a drink — drinking sensibly isn't a problem, but too many are regularly drinking more than the NHS advises. This means you're at higher risk of getting cancer or having a stroke or heart attack.
'This survey should encourage us all that it is ok to be honest with our friends about when we've had enough.
'Protecting our long-term health should be a good enough reason for anyone.'
Health and Wellbeing expert Liz Tucker said: “There is sometimes a certain amount of cajoling that goes on between friends on a night out to have an extra tipple, but people need to realise this is usually all in good jest, as this research backs up.
'In reality, nobody really minds when a friend calls it a night if they feel they've had enough, or when our partner doesn't fancy sharing a bottle at home – and we should all feel confident enough to say so.'
• Drs Graham Cope and Anwen Cope will be looking at the complex issue of alcohol and drug abuse effects upon oral health in March's issue of Preventive Dentistry magazine.
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