CIVIC chiefs are warning Christmas partygoers to keep an eye on the amount they drink.

As the festive season approaches, Southampton City Council has launched a new alcohol awareness campaign this month to help make Southampton a safe, healthy and vibrant city.

As part of the strategy, the council will work closely with Hampshire Police, the local NHS and other public, private and voluntary partners to raise awareness of the long-term health risks associated with excessive drinking and to encourage people to keep track of how much they drink through promotional posters across the city and social media campaigns.

It comes after figures from University Hospital Southampton showed that 1060 adults were admitted to hospital in Southampton with alcohol-specific conditions.

The hospital also undertook a survey on the patients who were in the acute medical ward on a Monday morning which revealed that 18 per cent were drinking at levels associated with hazardous or harmful alcohol use.

Alongside this, a survey of the Southampton population revealed that 75 per cent of people were unaware that the recommended weekly alcohol limit to keep health risks low was14 units.

Councillor Dave Shields, cabinet member for Health & Community Safety at Southampton City Council, said: “Our thriving night time economy of restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs is a key part of Southampton’s cultural offering and many people enjoy drinking responsibly in the city.

"I hope everyone has a great time over the festive period, but I also want people to be aware of the long-term impact of alcohol use on their general health and ensure that they easily recognise how much is too much.”

Wendy Lee, Programme Manager for Southampton Healthy Living, added:

"The average pint of beer or glass of wine contains around 200 calories.

"When you begin to count up drinks over the course of a week you can quickly see how big an impact drinking too much can have on your waistline.

"Drinking less can not only help you lose weight it will also improve your general health and well-being, your mental health and help you to sleep better."

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