The government have rules for speed limits on the roads, a lot of the public ignore them. The government have given advice on sun exposure to reduce skin cancer risk, a lot of the public ignore it. The government have guidelines on sugar consumption, as well as fat and salt, a lot of the public ignore it. So what will make the public think "oh! I guess I will stick to their guidelines for alcohol consumption" - the truth is, nothing will change (or, very little).
Most people know that alcohol isn't good for you, but they still drink it. I have read some comments from members of the public, such as "I thought red wine was good for you, but now I'm being told it's bad?". That shows how uneducated some people are about alcohol and diet in general, but that's a small percentage of the population - and a little worrying. So people know that it's bad, but they still drink it. It's the same with cigarettes, sun beds, junk food and so on.
To some, drinking is a 'hobby', because what comes with drinking alcohol? usually nights out with friends, dinner parties, sporting events, birthdays etc etc. To them it's part of the 'occasion', doing something they enjoy.
In reality, the alcohol consumption is not the governments responsibility, so why do they come out with these 'rules'? because they're the ones who have to pick up the bill when teenagers need their stomachs pumped, or other operations/treatments due to excess alcohol consumption. If the public had to pay for those treatments themselves, I would almost guarantee that alcohol consumption would reduce. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.
Even though I'm not a worldwide renowned nutritionist, I am confident to say that the government don't really know what to do, and whoever is in charge of making these types of decisions, is not fit to do so. The government also partnered with Weight Watchers recently - a shocking decision. Weight Watchers has an incredibly poor long term weight loss success percentage. Their system is designed to do one thing - make money. You keep paying them, things might be okay. Once you stop, the weight comes back and you're left on your own. Instead, the government should have partnered with gyms - free gym memberships will boost the populations activity levels. Some people cannot afford £30+ a month, but if it was free, they would go. Also, a lot of people don't like the government for a variety of reasons, so hearing them telling people to not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, will go in one ear and out of the other.
Many people clearly don't care about their own personal health. This is clear by the amount of alcohol that is consumed and also the obesity rate. Apart from personal health and image, there isn't really a downside to those things - you don't have to pay anymore money for being obese (plane tickets, medical treatment, clothing sizes and so on). You don't have to pay to get your stomach pumped or be put on an IV. The NHS was not set up to pump alcohol out of someones body, so why on earth is that available?? Make people pay for it! Then they will think twice about drinking so much alcohol that they have to be transported to A+E.
I can see what the government are trying to do (awareness mainly), but I cannot see it making any difference. People will do what they want to do - sunbeds, eat junk food, drink booze, drive to fast, drink and drive, take drugs... Someone from the government saying "You shouldn't be doing that" will not register with a lot of people I'm afraid.
Lee Gregory Fitness
(pic from google)
