#SafeDrinkingTips social media campaign launched

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office and the Liquor Control Commission have launched an education campaign around low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines, after a survey found few Islanders were aware of them.

The guidelines were created in 2011 by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse to help reduce alcohol-related harm.

Last month more than 1,900 Islanders filled out a survey on the issue, and only about 20 per cent knew about the guidelines.

"It's an opportunity for us just to do some public awareness around what the low risk drinking guidelines state, and help ensure that Islanders create some level of moderation in their drinking patterns," said Laura Lee Noonan, manager of health promotion at the Chief Public Health Office.

Five#safedrinkingtips:

• What is a drink? 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of spirits
• If you choose to drink alcohol, eat before and while you drink.
• Zero is the limit when it comes to drinking alcohol during pregnancy, when taking medications, or participating in sports or dangerous physical activity.
  
• For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink.
• If you choose to drink on special occasions, reduce your risk of injury and harm by drinking no more than 3 drinks for women and 4 drinks for men.

Follow-up survey planned

The social media campaign highlighting safe drinking tips will last about two weeks.

Noonan said they're hoping to continue the public awareness campaign over the next six to eight months.

Another survey will be done next spring to measure whether people's knowledge of the low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines has changed.

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