I asked people out during happy hour on Friday evening, what they thought about having a day to abstain from alcohol consumption. Almost everyone agreed that, in principle, it is a good idea.

“It can’t hurt,” one woman said, “but I wouldn’t do it. I would not want to. I really enjoy having a glass of red wine. My husband and I drink for our hearts. We have a glass of red wine every night with our dinner.

“I gave up chocolates for Lent and I do love chocolates but I would break my promise if I tried to give up wine and that would upset me.”

Kim Dismont Robinson said she would have no problem abstaining for a day. “I don’t drink too much to begin with so it wouldn’t be a hardship for me,” she said.

Michelle Ferraton, who used to live in Bermuda has been visiting for a few weeks, said she really looks forward to happy hour each Friday. “What a stupid idea to stop it for a day,” she said. “In Bermuda you only have one happy hour a week — only on a Friday. If they want to have a day of no drinking they should make it on a Sunday when you can’t buy any alcohol anyway.”

Told that alcohol-related accidents rise significantly on Friday nights and early on Saturday mornings, Ms Ferraton remained steadfast in her view. “Then they should have more happy hours,” she said. “Having one happy hour a week really promotes binge drinking. In Britain they decided to allow pubs to stay open much longer because they found people would try and get in as much as they could right before the early closing times.

“If Bermuda had happy hours throughout the week, the novelty of it would wear off and drinking would decline overall.” She also pointed out that most bars also lay on free food. “So this is not meant to be a drunken piss-up,” she said. “Friday is POETS day Piss Off Early Tomorrow is Saturday.”

Michael Johnston said he would be inclined to take part if it was for a good cause. “If there was a charity drive associated with it, if the charity would get money or if I had to donate then I would do it,” he said.

Mr. Johnston enjoys wine and said his doctor approves of his consumption levels.

New mother Kendra Ezekiel is breastfeeding and said she has no choice in abstaining. “I think everyone should drink water all the time anyway,” she said.

While agreeing that the awareness campaign is a good one, Alan Smith was quick to point out that he is not against alcohol consumption.

“I would take part in the day and abstain,” he said, “but I need to be clear that I am all for drinking. Elephants let fruit ferment and then drink it to enjoy the effects. It is perfectly natural. What we have to watch out for is letting it become an addiction.”

A single woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she would welcome a longer period of abstention.

She explained that happy hour is the only opportunity she has to socialise.

“I have to get out and meet people and this is the only way that I can do it,” she said. “Other people can go bowling, but I don’t know anyone who bowls so I am limited to happy hour. I wish there was another way.

“I find I am forced to drink because of alcoholic friends. If I am out with them for a few hours they pressure me to have something stronger than a fruit punch. I think it makes me wayward. I’m fine not to have any alcohol for a whole night. I’ve found that it is poisonous to me.

“A no alcohol day gives me a great excuse to not drink during happy hour while still socialising. It’s the best of both worlds for me.”