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The research, based on the feedback from 961 internet
using adults, found that only 40% of men think health warnings are a good
idea whereas 49% women support the concept.
While 36% of women believe that these labels will make
them think about how much they drink, only 30% men feel that way.
Recently there has been a lot of media coverage reporting
on the indiscriminate and binge drinking of women in the UK. 'The study
suggests that women are clearly more open to these new proposed labels,"
says Mathilde Dudouitm, a senior research analyst for the international
research conducting organisation, Mintel.
"For women at least, this new initiative could well
be a step in the right direction to combat excessive drinking. However,
men clearly are much more set in their ways when it comes to what they
drink, and it will be harder to convince them to change their habits."
However, the research, reported in Harpers,
found that two in five men (44%) would find it useful to know the number
of units they are getting through, compared to over half of women (53%).
"The trend towards stronger drinks and larger glasses
means that Brits can often no longer be sure how many units they are drinking.
"Without clear information, many people will be
unaware whether they are exceeding their weekly alcohol intake, or whether
they are still within the safe drink drive limits after an evening out,"
Mathlide said.
In a bid to tackle Britain's binge-drinking culture,
the Government is planning to enforce a law that will force all alcoholic
drinks to carry health warnings by the end of the year.
While many British are reducing their alcohol intake
as part of a healthier lifestyle, the amount of consumption has remained
the same during the past 5 years, showing that those who drink, are drinking
more, the research found.
The Union Health Ministry could carry out a survey through
IAPA or any independent agency and decide on a national policy on educating
about wines and alcohol so that the consumption can be checked voluntarily
by the people.
In any case, steps like giving warning on the labels
may be worth their while. Other co-ercive methods should possibly be avoided.
The government of Delhi recently cleared the Delhi Excise
Bill 2007 in which it neither reduced the legal drinking age to the realistic
21, nor made the announcement of making Beer and Wine available in the
supermarkets. These could be the platforms available to the government
where one could be educated about the possible downside of excessive drinking.
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