A recent study by Cancer Research UK claimed alcohol causes 12,500 cases of cancer a year, including those affecting the breast, bowel, mouth and throat.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: ‘It can be easy to slip into the habit of having a few extra drinks each day, especially when drinking at home. But there can be serious health risks. Don’t let drinking sneak up on you.
‘That is why I am launching this campaign – to alert people that it is not just binge drinkers that damage their health.’
Professionals across the UK in a bid to encourage drinkers to cut down on their alcohol intake
Just two glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day can treble the risk of mouth cancer, ministers warn.
They say that drinking slightly more than the recommended safe alcohol limits can massively raise the likelihood of many life-threatening illnesses.
In stark TV adverts to be aired this week, the Government will remind the public of the dangers of having a few drinks in the evening to unwind.
It will point out that besides trebling the risk of mouth cancer, regularly drinking six units of alcohol also doubles the chances of developing high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Current guidelines recommend that women drink no more than two or three units a night, and men no more than three or four.
A pint of beer or a standard (175ml) glass of wine contains two units, but stronger lagers or large glasses of wine have nearer three units.
Experts say a fifth of adults regularly consume more than the safe daily limits.
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