The Health Improvement Commission for Guernsey and Alderney has launched the Rethink Your Drink scheme, a public health initiative designed to help islanders understand and manage their alcohol consumption. Residents are receiving scorecards through the post that allow them to track their weekly units and compare their drinking against established medical guidelines. The campaign aims to empower people to make informed decisions about their health by providing a straightforward tool to calculate their intake.
According to the Health Improvement Commission, the 2023 Wellbeing Survey revealed that 35.2% of adults aged 16 and over who drink alcohol reported consuming more than 14 units a week. This figure prompted the organisation to develop a practical intervention that addresses a widespread challenge: many people find it difficult to estimate how many units they are actually drinking.
Andrea Nightingale, substance use lead at the Health Improvement Commission, described the scorecard as
a simple, interactive and engaging way to help people understand their intake. She added that
the scorecard is about helping people get a clearer picture of where they are today and giving them the confidence to think about where they would like to be tomorrow.
What are the recommended drinking guidelines?
The UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines recommend that both men and women consume no more than 14 units per week, spread across three or more days, with at least two alcohol-free days each week. According to local reporting, the campaign materials translate this into practical terms: approximately 6 pints of medium-strength lager, 6 medium glasses of wine, or 7 doubles of spirits per week.
How will the scorecard help islanders?
The Health Improvement Commission emphasises that alcohol units can be difficult to estimate, making the scorecard a
tried and tested toolto help people calculate their weekly units and compare their results to the guidelines. Nightingale noted that
small changes really can add up to a big difference, and for many people, simply knowing their number could help them consider whether any changes might benefit their health and wellbeing. The scorecard was delivered island-wide by Guernsey Post as part of the Health Improvement Commission effort.
Where can people find support?
Those who discover their consumption exceeds the recommended guidelines can access free support through multiple channels. Adults can obtain assistance through the Independence and the Community Drug Alcohol Team via referral or through their GP, while under-25s can access support through Action for Children. Islanders can also use the campaign website to access additional information and support resources if their consumption is higher than expected.
Is this the first alcohol awareness campaign on the islands?
The Rethink Your Drink scheme builds on previous work by the Health Improvement Commission. The organisation previously launched a separate island-wide alcohol awareness effort called Count 14, which was developed with NHS Scotland and includes a drinks calculator. An island survey repeated in 2022 found that awareness of the drinking guideline being the same for everyone had risen by 9% following the Count 14 work, suggesting that sustained public health messaging on this topic can shift understanding across the population.
Key Facts
- The 2023 Wellbeing Survey found 35.2% of adults aged 16 and over who drink alcohol reported consuming more than 14 units per week
- The recommended guideline is 14 units per week for both men and women, spread over three or more days with at least two alcohol-free days weekly
- Scorecards have been distributed to all households via Guernsey Post to help residents track and calculate their weekly alcohol intake
- Free support is available through the Independence and the Community Drug Alcohol Team for adults and through Action for Children for under-25s
