CAMRA revealed that of the 2,040 respondents in the YouGov survey, 61% agreed that moderate alcohol consumption could be part of a healthy lifestyle.
As well as this, just over half (51%) disagreed with Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, that alcohol guidelines should be the same for men and women.
In May this year, a poll conducted by market research provider medeConnect, two thirds of GPs also disagreed with the Chief Medical Officer’s statement that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Oxford University conducted a Friends on Tap report this year that found those who frequented a pub were happier, healthier and felt more integrated in their communities than those who didn’t have a local.
Realistic and believable
CAMRA chairman Colin Valentine said: “The figures we are releasing today at the start of the Great British Beer Festival, show that Government advice on drinking is at odds with common sense.
“If the Government wants people to take the guidance seriously then it needs to present people with realistic and believable advice, which they can use to judge their own risk when it comes to responsible drinking.”
He added that if a pub feels the guidelines lack evidence and are not credible, there is a danger they will increasingly ignore them.
Grown-up approach
Valentine said: “There are decades of international scientific evidence showing that moderate drinking can play an important part in a healthy and happy lifestyle. We would like to see that research reflected in a more grown-up approach to help adults understand the risks and benefits associated with drinking.”
CPL online training company director and former pub operator Paul Chase called for an independent review of the drinking guidelines earlier this year.