Doctors and MPs are calling for 125ml wine measures to be reinstated in pubs and bars.

A leading group of doctors has criticised the growing trend for pubs, bars and restaurants to serve ‘supersize’ spirit and wine measures – blaming the culture for encouraging dangerous drinking.

According to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), 14% of pubs and wine bars have now completely abolished the once-standard 125ml measure of wine altogether. Instead, drinkers can choose between 175ml and 250ml glasses, measures equivalent to a third of a full bottle.

President of the RCP Professor Ian Gilmore said: “People are aware of the units and they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking.

“The industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order. There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise. It is not the first time the industry has been attacked for serving large measures of wine.”

The issue is currently being considered by MPs following Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland’s proposal in January 2008 for a bill to amend weights and measures legislation. If passed, the bill would force all bars, pubs, clubs and licensed restaurants to reinstate traditional 125ml measures with the aim of reducing the temptation for customers’ to binge drink.

According to recent data from the UK Office for National Statistics, men drink an average of 18.7 units of alcohol a week, compared with 9.0 units by women. That’s the equivalent of three large (250ml) glasses of wine or over a full bottle for women and over six pints of premium lager for men. 

UK medical bodies recommend an upper limit for “low risk drinking” of up to 3 units per day for men, and up to 2 units per day for women.

By Natasha Piscitelli