Lack of uniform standard drink definitions and alcohol drinking guidelines

The present study collected information on measurements of standard drinks and on government produced low-risk consumption guidelines around the world.

One of the challenges of international alcohol research and policy is the variability and lack of knowledge of how governments in different countries define a standard drink and low-risk drinking. Consumers and users of standard drinks may not be aware that standards vary from country to country. Reviewing the results from 37 countries showed a wide variation of the standard drink definition (8-20 g) and for low-risk drinking guidelines, ranging from 10 g to 42 g per day for women and 10 g to 56 g per day for men. It is also notable that countries disagree as to whether low-risk drinking has the same definition for men and women. These differences may stem from relying on various data sources regarding alcohol-related harm, i.e. studies performed in different populations (clinical versus general population, men versus women, young people versus older adults and different social environments.

Researchers working and communicating across various countries have to be sensitive to substantial variability of standard drink definitions and low-risk drinking guidelines. The authors also conclude that most national governments do not define a standard drink and low-risk drinking. The potential impact of guidelines remains an important question for public health research and comparing the potential health impact of different nations’ guidelines should be examined.

Kalinowski A, Humphreys K, Governmental standard drink definitions and low-risk alcohol consumption guidelines in 37 countries, 2016, Addiction, doi:10.1111/add.13341

For more information about this article, read the scientific abstract here