The Dutch underestimate the dangers of drinking alcohol and almost 60% say there are six standard glasses of wine in a normal bottle, when there are actually 7.5, the Trimbos addiction clinic said in a new report out on Thursday.

The research, carried out on behalf of the health ministry, found that a quarter of heavy drinkers consider it to be healthy to drink two glasses of wine a day.

In addition, one third of the population think the national health council recommends no more than two glasses of alcohol per day. In reality, the council says alcohol should be avoided altogether.

In particular, many people are unaware that drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing both dementia and some forms of cancer, Trimbos said.

Trimbos researcher Ninette van Hasselt said the lack of knowledge about the impact of alcohol is similar across all age groups and all levels of education.

‘This research shows that we have to do even better to reach heavy drinkers,’ junior health minister Paul Blokhuis said in a reaction. ‘They are not up to date on the risks and they find it hard to resist social pressures. In December we are going to launch a campaign which shows that you can have a good time without drinking.’