The Health Improvement Commission for Guernsey and Alderney has introduced the Rethink Your Drink scheme, a public health initiative designed to encourage residents to monitor their alcohol consumption patterns. The program distributes scorecards to households that enable islanders to record their weekly alcohol intake and assess it against established health recommendations.
According to data from the 2023 Wellbeing Survey, approximately 35.2% of adults aged 16 and over in the region who consume alcohol reported drinking more than 14 units per week. The UK Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines recommend that both men and women consume no more than 14 units weekly, with intake distributed across three or more days and including at least two completely alcohol-free days each week.
Andrea Nightingale, the substance use lead at the Health Improvement Commission, described the scorecard as “a simple, interactive and engaging way to help people understand their intake.” The commission noted that calculating alcohol units can be challenging for many individuals, making the scorecard a practical resource for performing these calculations accurately. According to the organization, the tool provides residents with clearer insight into their current consumption levels and may encourage consideration of behavioral adjustments.
Nightingale emphasized that the initiative aims to support informed decision-making about health and wellbeing. The commission indicated that modest reductions in consumption can yield meaningful health benefits and that awareness of personal intake figures may prompt individuals to evaluate whether modifications to their habits would be beneficial.
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