Australia's safe consumption of alcohol guidelines have changed, so what's the new limit? | ABC News

ABC News (Australia)

8 Dec 202002:28

Summary

TLDRNew health guidelines in Australia recommend adults limit alcohol intake to 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four in a single day to reduce harm. The guidelines warn pregnant women and those planning to conceive against alcohol consumption, as it poses risks to the developing fetus. For breastfeeding mothers, abstaining is advised for infant safety. The guidelines also stress that there is no safe level of drinking for teens under 18, whose brains are more susceptible to alcohol-related damage. The alcohol industry disputes these limits, arguing they're based on selective evidence. Public health officials urge moderation, especially during the holiday season.

Takeaways

🍺 Alcohol is deeply ingrained in Australian culture, often associated with relaxation and celebration.
🚫 New health guidelines recommend adults limit alcohol intake to 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 in a single day to reduce harm.
🤰 One in two pregnant women in Australia still consume alcohol, despite the risks, and are advised against it for the safety of their unborn child.
🚫 Pregnant or planning to become pregnant women, and those breastfeeding, are advised to abstain from alcohol completely.
🔞 For underage teens, the message is clear: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption due to the sensitivity of their developing brains.
🔗 There is a growing body of evidence linking alcohol consumption to various types of cancer, including those of the throat, mouth, windpipe, bowel, and breast.
📈 Each additional standard drink a woman has per day increases her risk of breast cancer by approximately 10 percent.
💬 The alcohol industry disputes the guidelines, claiming they are based on selective evidence and suggests higher limits for both men and women.
🤔 Public opinion varies on the new guidelines, with some arguing they don't go far enough, while others believe they are too restrictive.
🎅 Over the holiday season, public health officials emphasize the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption.

Q & A

What is the new recommendation for maximum alcohol intake per week in Australia according to the latest health advice?
-The new independent guidelines recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks a week for adults to reduce the risk of harm.
What is the advised limit for alcohol consumption in one day as per the new guidelines?
-No more than four standard drinks in one day is the advised limit according to the new guidelines.
How many Australians are reportedly drinking alcohol at risky levels?
-One in four Australians are drinking alcohol at risky levels.
What is the updated advice for pregnant women regarding alcohol consumption?
-The dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are now made explicit, and it is advised that women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.
What is the safest recommendation for women who are breastfeeding?
-For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is considered the safest option for their baby.
What is the stance on alcohol consumption for underage teens?
-The advice for underage teens is that there is no safe level of drinking, as the brains of people under 18 are more sensitive to damage from alcohol.
How does alcohol consumption increase the risk of certain cancers?
-The evidence increasingly links drinking to cancers of the throat, mouth, windpipe, bowel, and breast.
What is the impact of additional standard drinks on a woman's breast cancer risk?
-Every extra standard drink that a woman has a day increases her breast cancer risk by around 10 percent.
What is the alcohol lobby's stance on the recommended 10-drink limit per week?
-The alcohol lobby disputes the 10-drink-a-week limit, arguing it's based on selective evidence and suggesting that a man can have up to 20 drinks a week and a woman 15 drinks a week if spread across the week.
What is the public health message regarding alcohol consumption during the Christmas period?
-Public health officials emphasize the message of moderation during the Christmas period.
What is the average alcohol consumption reported by some Australians?
-Some Australians report drinking around 10 to 15 standard drinks on a weekend, with around six beers a night on weekdays.

Outlines

00:00

🍺 New Health Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption in Australia

The script discusses the deep-rooted culture of alcohol consumption in Australia and the recent health advice advocating for reduced drinking. New independent guidelines suggest a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four in a single day to minimize health risks. It highlights that 25% of Australians drink at risky levels, and there's a significant number of pregnant women who still consume alcohol, which is now explicitly warned against. For breastfeeding women, abstaining from alcohol is recommended for the baby's safety. The script also addresses the 'no safe level' advice for underage teens, whose brains are more susceptible to alcohol-related damage. The increased risk of cancers, particularly breast cancer with each additional standard drink, is emphasized. The alcohol lobby disputes the guidelines, suggesting higher limits based on selective evidence. Public health officials urge moderation, especially during the holiday season.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Alcohol

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can be consumed in various forms such as beer, wine, and spirits. In the video, alcohol is central to the discussion as it explores the cultural significance and health implications of its consumption in Australia. The script mentions how a 'taste for booze' is entrenched in Australian culture, suggesting a deep-rooted tradition of drinking.

💡Standard drinks

A 'standard drink' is a measure used to quantify alcohol intake, typically representing a specific amount of alcohol by volume. The video references new guidelines that recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks a week to reduce the risk of harm, indicating the importance of understanding alcohol consumption in standardized units for health awareness.

💡Risky levels

Drinking alcohol at 'risky levels' refers to consumption patterns that significantly increase the likelihood of health problems or accidents. The script states that one in four Australians are drinking at risky levels, highlighting a concerning trend that the guidelines aim to address.

💡Pregnancy

The term 'pregnancy' is used in the context of advising against alcohol consumption during this period. The video emphasizes the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, stating that it should be avoided as it can harm the developing fetus.

💡Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the process of feeding an infant with milk produced by the mother's body. The video advises that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers, as it can affect the baby's health.

💡Underage drinking

Underage drinking refers to the consumption of alcohol by individuals below the legal drinking age. The video asserts that there is no safe level of drinking for underage teens, as their brains are more sensitive to alcohol's damaging effects.

💡Cancers

Cancers mentioned in the video are diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. It links alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancers of the throat, mouth, windpipe, bowel, and breast, emphasizing the serious health consequences of drinking.

💡Alcohol lobby

The 'alcohol lobby' refers to groups or organizations that advocate for the interests of the alcohol industry. The video notes that this lobby disputes the recommended limit of ten drinks a week, suggesting a conflict between public health advice and industry interests.

💡Moderation

Moderation in the context of the video means drinking alcohol in a controlled and limited manner to minimize health risks. Public health officials are quoted as promoting moderation, especially during the Christmas period, as a way to enjoy festivities without compromising health.

💡Health guidelines

Health guidelines are recommendations provided by health authorities to help individuals make informed decisions about their health. The video discusses new independent guidelines that advise on safe alcohol consumption levels, aiming to reduce the risk of harm.

💡Evidence

Evidence in this context refers to the scientific data and research findings that support the health guidelines. The video mentions 'evidence increasingly linking drinking to cancers,' which underscores the basis for the recommendations provided.

Highlights

Alcohol is deeply ingrained in Australian culture, often associated with relaxation and celebration.

Health advice suggests reducing alcohol intake for lower risk of harm.

New guidelines recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week for adults.

Adults should not exceed four standard drinks in a single day.

One in four Australians are drinking alcohol at risky levels.

Half of the pregnant women in Australia still consume alcohol.

Health risks for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy are now explicitly stated.

For breastfeeding women, abstaining from alcohol is recommended for the baby's safety.

There is no safe level of drinking for underage teens due to brain sensitivity.

Alcohol consumption is increasingly linked to various types of cancer.

Each additional standard drink increases breast cancer risk by about 10 percent.

The alcohol industry disputes the recommended limits, claiming they're based on selective evidence.

Some argue the guidelines don't go far enough, while others think they're too restrictive.

Public health officials emphasize moderation, especially during the holiday season.

The transcript includes a range of opinions on alcohol consumption among Australians.

Anna Henderson from ABC News reports from Canberra on the new guidelines.