Menu
03/03/2004
Binge drinking highlighted in new adverts
The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the links between binge drinking and serious damage to health.
The television advertising campaign, which features the strapline 'You don’t have to be drunk to be doing real damage’, will air for the first time tonight.
Speaking at the launch Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “A recent survey carried out by the HPA revealed that in Northern Ireland 83% of adults aged 30–44 years drink alcohol and of this number over half the men and a third of the women were binge drinkers.
"This campaign targets that age group and wants to encourage them to think about how much they drink and what exactly binge drinking is and to highlight that this type of drinking – even if it is once a week – can have a really serious impact on their health.”
Qualitative research carried out by the HPA revealed that many people who were surveyed did not know was defined as a binge drinking session. A binge is defined as consuming at least 10 units of alcohol for men (approximately five drinks) and at least seven units of alcohol for women (approximately four drinks) in a single session, roughly half the recommended weekly limit in one session.
Responses to what binge drinking means included “a binge is when you drink for three or four days”; “if you take 15–20 drinks in one go”; or “drinking to the point when you don’t remember anything”.
Tonight's television advertisement is set in the present day with the main character, Jamesy, around 40 years of age, lying in a hospital bed having suffered a stroke. Viewers are then shown a number of flashbacks giving us an insight into Jamesy’s lifestyle.
The television advertising will be supported by an information leaflet Alcohol in focus, which is already available from local Health and Social Services Boards, GP surgeries and pharmacies. The advertising begins today and will run until March 31.
(MB)
The television advertising campaign, which features the strapline 'You don’t have to be drunk to be doing real damage’, will air for the first time tonight.
Speaking at the launch Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “A recent survey carried out by the HPA revealed that in Northern Ireland 83% of adults aged 30–44 years drink alcohol and of this number over half the men and a third of the women were binge drinkers.
"This campaign targets that age group and wants to encourage them to think about how much they drink and what exactly binge drinking is and to highlight that this type of drinking – even if it is once a week – can have a really serious impact on their health.”
Qualitative research carried out by the HPA revealed that many people who were surveyed did not know was defined as a binge drinking session. A binge is defined as consuming at least 10 units of alcohol for men (approximately five drinks) and at least seven units of alcohol for women (approximately four drinks) in a single session, roughly half the recommended weekly limit in one session.
Responses to what binge drinking means included “a binge is when you drink for three or four days”; “if you take 15–20 drinks in one go”; or “drinking to the point when you don’t remember anything”.
Tonight's television advertisement is set in the present day with the main character, Jamesy, around 40 years of age, lying in a hospital bed having suffered a stroke. Viewers are then shown a number of flashbacks giving us an insight into Jamesy’s lifestyle.
The television advertising will be supported by an information leaflet Alcohol in focus, which is already available from local Health and Social Services Boards, GP surgeries and pharmacies. The advertising begins today and will run until March 31.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 November 2004
Graphic study aims to curb teenage binge drinking
A unique study using images of facial and mouth trauma to cut down on teenage binge drinking has been carried out by researchers from Queen's University and the Royal Group of Hospitals. Six Belfast schools signed up to the study, which aims to highlight the link between heavy binge drinking and the possibility of oral and facial injury.
Graphic study aims to curb teenage binge drinking
A unique study using images of facial and mouth trauma to cut down on teenage binge drinking has been carried out by researchers from Queen's University and the Royal Group of Hospitals. Six Belfast schools signed up to the study, which aims to highlight the link between heavy binge drinking and the possibility of oral and facial injury.
28 September 2012
SDLP Cancels "Irresponsible" Pub Crawl
The SDLP has been forced to apologise following news that its youth-wing organised a cheap pub crawl for students. The £1-a-drink pub crawl was advertised through promotions on the party’s Twitter site and through leaflets being handed out to first year Queen’s University students attending this week’s Freshers’ Fair.
SDLP Cancels "Irresponsible" Pub Crawl
The SDLP has been forced to apologise following news that its youth-wing organised a cheap pub crawl for students. The £1-a-drink pub crawl was advertised through promotions on the party’s Twitter site and through leaflets being handed out to first year Queen’s University students attending this week’s Freshers’ Fair.
21 February 2008
'Cut-Price' Booze Debate Underlines Local Underage Drinking Scheme
As Britain's largest supermarket giant, Tesco, has called on the Government to introduce new laws to 'ban' cut-price alcohol, it has emerged that a pilot scheme to tackle underage drinking in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area is to be launched.
'Cut-Price' Booze Debate Underlines Local Underage Drinking Scheme
As Britain's largest supermarket giant, Tesco, has called on the Government to introduce new laws to 'ban' cut-price alcohol, it has emerged that a pilot scheme to tackle underage drinking in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area is to be launched.
28 March 2006
Campaign launched to highlight binge drinking harm
The Health Promotion Agency has today launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of binge drinking in Northern Ireland. The campaign aims to inform people that they do not need to be drunk in order to be doing themselves harm, and hopes to encourage people to spread their recommended intake of alcohol across the week.
Campaign launched to highlight binge drinking harm
The Health Promotion Agency has today launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of binge drinking in Northern Ireland. The campaign aims to inform people that they do not need to be drunk in order to be doing themselves harm, and hopes to encourage people to spread their recommended intake of alcohol across the week.
16 October 2006
Anti-binge drinking campaign launched
An advertising campaign to tackle binge drinking will highlight the health problems faced by those who drink more than the recommended levels of alcohol.
Anti-binge drinking campaign launched
An advertising campaign to tackle binge drinking will highlight the health problems faced by those who drink more than the recommended levels of alcohol.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
