Department of Health Skip to content

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

You are here:

Alcohol misuse

The Department of Health is responsible for Government health policy on the harmful use of alcohol.

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend:

  • women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day; and
  • men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.

Regularly drinking more than this significantly increases the risk of ill health.

The Department works with the following Government departments on alcohol policy:

  • The Home Office is responsible for anti social policy related to alcohol and licensing.
  • Department for Education is responsible for education and support aimed at young people and parents.
  • Department for Transport is responsible for drink driving laws.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for benefits policy in relation to alcohol.

You can find further information about the Department’s work in the pages below.

What we are doing

The Department of Health is supporting The Home Office and HM Treasury taking forward the commitments in “The Coalition: Our Programme for Government”, to tackle the harmful use of alcohol.

Find out more about the Government’s Commitments by clicking the link below:

Alcohol Advice

Find information on units, alcohol and pregnancy, as well as advice for young people.

Alcohol Improvement Programme

The Alcohol Improvement Programme comprises data, tools, guidance and practical support to local health organisations and their partners in making an impact on alcohol-related harm.

Find out more about the Alcohol Improvement Programme at the Alcohol Learning Centre via the link below.

Alcohol Publications

Department of Health publications, including policy documents and guidance.

Alcohol Statistics

The Office for National Statistics, the NHS Information Centre and the North West Public Health Observatory publish a range of statistics on alcohol.

Useful links

Links to Government departments as well as organisations providing advice on alcohol.

Alcohol Policy Team Contacts

If you would like to contact someone from the Alcohol Policy Team at the Department of Health, please click on the link below:

Additional links

Next Steps on Alcohol Labelling

The Government has published the report of the consultation on labelling which took place in 2010 and its response to it.

Responsibilty Deal Launched

The Responsibility Deal has been established to tap into the potential for businesses and other organisations to improve public health and tackle health inequalities through their influence over food, alcohol, physical activity and health in the workplace.

Access keys