Dialogue: A little drink now and then is part of a healthy lifestyle

NICKI STEWART* says that, contrary to the critics' views, most adults gain health benefits from beer, wine and spirits.

The health benefits of alcohol consumption have been subject of much debate and discussion.

The Beer, Wine and Spirits Council believes balanced and accurate information is needed to allow the public to make informed choices about drinking.

Regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol reduces the overall risk of death.

This has been confirmed by studies in the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of heart disease by 20 to 30 per cent, improves late-onset diabetes control and reduces the risk of all-cause mortality.

Dr Arthur Klatsky, one of the world's leading cardiologists, who visited New Zealand in February last year, studied the effect of alcohol on the hearts of 129,000 adults in California over eight years. He found that all alcohol, in moderation, can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Dr Klatsky's research paper, Red Wine, White Wine, Liquor, Beer, and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease Hospitalization, was published in the American Journal of Cardiology in 1997.

Dietary guidelines issued in 1995 by the Federal Drug Agency in the US confirm the potentially beneficial impact on the heart of light to moderate drinking of alcohol.

As well, the Alcohol Public Health and Research Unit acknowledged in 1997 that "the negative effects of alcohol were far from clear cut - especially since moderate consumption could improve health".

Abuse of alcoholic beverages is a real problem for a minority of people in our society. It is well understood that excessive alcohol use causes a number of illnesses and even premature death.

It is certainly not in the best interest of the alcoholic beverages and hospitality industries to promote heavy drinking.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is a normal activity for most of the adult population.

Despite a long period where the consumption of alcohol has declined, nine out of 10 New Zealanders enjoy a drink each day, and alcoholic drinks are available in cafes, bars and restaurants.

It is important that people who come into contact with alcoholic drinks are aware of the legal and social framework that surrounds its consumption.

A joint submission from the Beer, Wine and Spirits Council, the Wine Institute and the Distilled Spirits Association to the Tax Review this year said: "The vast majority of adult New Zealanders gain substantial health benefits from the consumption of beer, wine and spirits."

The submission went on to say: "There is compelling evidence that responsible consumption of beer, wine and spirits provides health benefits."

A leading epidemiologist, Sir Richard Doll, wrote in the British Medical Journal in 1997 that the evidence for a beneficial health effect from moderate consumption was "now massive" ... only a very small percentage of consumers engage in anti-social behaviour.

We encourage a socially responsible attitude to the consumption of beer, wine and spirits, and we support economically efficient policies aimed at addressing potential or actual misuse.

The Beer, Wine and Spirits Council is instrumental in providing reliable health information, generally and for specific interest groups.

Because alcohol affects different areas of human health, the council is duty-bound to keep up with medical trends and research, and publish findings that might be beneficial to the wellbeing of members of society.

The council has established a medical advisory committee, comprising eminent medical professionals, to gather reliable facts about alcohol and health and expert opinions on alcohol in society.

The council also regularly attends the International Medical Advisory Group conference and confers with experts in the field.

The council encourages and facilitates discussion and education on responsible consumption. A proven method is targeted education.

It also concentrates its efforts on educating the youth of today, working with groups such as youth councils, Students Against Driving Drunk and the Life Education Trust.

Moderate and responsible consumption of beer, wine and spirits remains an important part of the modern healthy lifestyle.

* Nicki Stewart is chief executive of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Council.