KOCHI: Even as the state government insists that it’s not diluting its liquor policy while sanctioning the conversion of closed down bars into beer and while parlours, an expert has pointed out that alcohol content in beer should not be underestimated.

“The beer Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) sells has an average 6 per cent of alcohol content,” said Johnson J Edayaranmula, director, Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC)-India, an NGO.

“A person who sips a bottle of 650 ml beer consumes 39 ml. of ‘absolute alcohol’. This is equivalent to drinking 3 small pegs each 30 ml of whisky.”

The Motor Vehicle Act says driving with more than 30 ml. of alcohol in the blood (BAC) is an offence liable to 6 months imprisonment and cancellation of license.

“Most two-wheeler accidents involving the youth in our state have occurred under the influence of beer,” Johnson said.

“It may be noted that the considerable drop in beer sales over the past 7 months resulted in the number of two–wheeler accidents involving the youth coming down drastically.”

There is a misconception that people who drink beer are somehow less likely to become alcoholic than other types of drinkers. According to World Health Organization (WHO), this is a complete myth and it can give people a false sense of security, he said.