Farage calls for ‘mass protest’ over alcohol advice

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), has called for a “mass protest” over new alcohol guidelines in the UK that claim there is no safe level of drinking.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has called the new UK alcohol guidelines a “form of nannying”

Speaking to LBC Radio, Farage hit out at the guidelines, which also put the recommended drinking level for men in line with women, as a “form of nannying”.

The politician said that while he agrees the UK has a problem with binge drinking, the guidelines were “over the top”.

“I think what we ought to do is have a mass protest against this form of nannying and we should all come out at lunch and have a glass of something,” he said.

“Even intelligent youngsters go out on a Friday night with the intention of getting hammered, we know that. But, frankly, if we choose to enjoy a few drinks four or five nights a week after a hard day at work whether it slightly shortens our lives or not, so what.”

Last week the UK’s chief medical officers revealed the first shake-up of UK alcohol guidelines in 20 years, advising that men and women who drink alcohol regularly should not exceed more than 14 units a week.

Previous guidelines advised men to drink no more than three to four units a day, and women no more than two or three.

Furthermore, the guidelines also advise anyone who does drink 14 units per week to spread their consumption “evenly” over three or more days and to not have one or two binge drinking sessions, in an effort to reduce the risks of death from long term illnesses, accidents and injuries.

The guidelines also emphasise there is “no level of regular drinking that can be considered as completely safe”, and that any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer.

As such, Farage joked that he is now “25% more likely to die” than before.

To see how the spirits industry reacted to the new guidelines, click here.