Portsmouth publican believes drinkers '˜don't take seriously' alcohol guidelines

Paul Saynor, of The Rose in June, in Milton Road, Copnor, Portsmouth, believes punters treat recommendations over the amount they should drink with ‘mild dismissive humour’.

It comes after Colin Valentine, national chairman for the Campaign for Real Ale, branded new booze guidelines issued by health bosses ‘among the most restrictive in the world’.

The Chief Medical Officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have reduced the recommended limit of alcohol to 14 units for men and women spread over three or more days per week, and have stated that there is no safe level of alcohol.

Speaking to The News, Mr Saynor said: ‘Do the normal drinkers in the UK actually say to each other, “I’ve gone over 14 units its in the past week, I better not go out again tonight?”.

‘I don’t believe that happens.

‘The majority of our pub treat that with mild dismissive humour. It’s not something that’s taken seriously in the pub. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t drink responsibly.

‘We are a drinking population. Go to places in Europe like Spain and France; our habits are different.

‘Our habits involve the pub, the community is the pub.

‘It’s more food and restaurant orientated.’

Following a debate this week by MPs on the new alcohol guidelines in Westminster Hall, Mr Valentine said: ‘MPs are right to recognise the 
importance of credible public health advice on drinking alcohol.

‘CAMRA supports the need for alcohol health guidelines, but the new guidelines are among the most restrictive in the world and are insufficiently supported by evidence.’