Last Orders Lesson Two Alcohol Strengths and Units

What is a unit of alcohol? A unit of alcohol is equivalent to: - Half a pint of beer/lager/cider 3.5% ABV. - One small glass of wine – 125mls 9% ABV. - One single spirits (pub measure) 40% ABV.

What is Alcohol? Alcoholic drinks consist mainly of flavoured water and ethyl alcohol (ethanol) They are made by fermentation of fruits, vegetables or grains. Ethyl alcohol on it’s own is a poison, so it is diluted in alcoholic drinks to make it safer to drink.

1.2 units275 mls One bottle of Smirnoff Ice - 4.5%ABV How many units?

One 125mls glass of wine -9%ABV How many units? 1 Unit

One single pub measure of spirits - 40% ABV How many units? 1 Unit

One 568 mls can of Stella Lager – 5.2% ABV How many units? 3.0 Units

One 275 mls bottle of Bacardi Breezer - 4%ABV How many units? 1.1 Units

One 588 mls can Fosters Lager - 4% ABV How many units? 2.3 Units

One half pint of beer or lager - 3.5%ABV How many units? 1 Unit

One 750 mls bottle of wine - 14%ABV How many units? 10 Units

One 2 litres bottle of Diamond White - 7.5%ABV How many units? 15 Units

One 25mls ‘shot’ - 40%ABV How many units? 1 Unit

One litre of Vodka %ABV How many units? 37.5 Units

One 750mls of Lambrini - 7.5%ABV How many units? 5.7 Units

It is the strength and size of the drink that determines how many units it has. It is not as simple as one drink = one unit

Safer Drinking Limits There is no safer drinking limit for under 18 year olds as their livers and brains are still developing The healthiest choice for young people is not to drink any alcohol before 15 years, then only at low levels.

Safer drinking limits for Adults Men should not regularly drink more than 3 to 4 units a day Women not more than 2 to 3 units a day Regularly drinking over this can lead to long term liver and brain damage and other related health risks