SURVEY:PEOPLE'S KNOWLEDGE of what a standard drink is has improved in the past year, a survey has found.
Some six in 10 adults now know what a standard drink is, compared with five in 10 last year, according to the research by Millward Browne Lansdowne for drinkaware.ie. This is a website set up by Meas, the drinks industry body that says it promotes responsible drinking.
A standard drink is equal to half a pint of beer, a pub measure of spirits or a small glass of wine. A bottle of wine (750ml) with an alcohol percentage of 12 per cent contains seven standard drinks.
The Department of Health advises that up to 14 standard drinks a week for women and up to 21 standard drinks a week for men is considered low risk.
The highest percentage of respondents who answered correctly (66 per cent) were between 35-49 years.
Last year, 20 per cent of people knew that half a pint of beer was a standard drink but that has increased to 40 per cent.
Fionnuala Sheehan, drinkaware.ie chief executive, said it was very positive to see the increased understanding that existed among adults about what constituted a standard drink.
“It is more important now than ever before that consumers are well-informed as a substantial part of drinking takes place in the unregulated home setting,” she said.
She said it took our bodies about one hour on average to eliminate one standard drink. “Do the maths and make sure you are safe to drive.”
