Alcohol consumption falls at fastest rate in over 60 years

19th October 2009, 12:13pm

UK alcohol consumption is falling at the fastest rate for more than 60 years according to new official figures released today by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The amount we drink fell by over 8% to 3.81 litres per head in the first half of 2009 compared with 4.15 litres per head in the same period of 2008. The last time the nation's alcohol consumption fell by more than this was during 1948 when it fell by 11% over the course of the year. The numbers are from official HM Revenue & Customs data and have been compiled by the BBPA.

The amount we drink has now been on a strong downward trend for four and a half years, since a peak in 2004. On current trends, by the end of this year, the amount we drink could be down to the levels of ten years ago – 14% down on 2004.

The numbers call into serious question alcohol policies designed to reduce drinking in the whole population, says the BBPA. Claims by some academics and medical lobby groups that a fall in total consumption would lead to significant social benefits, such as a fall in alcohol related hospital admissions, are not being borne out by the facts.

The consumption data shows that the theory of reducing everyone's drinking to tackle alcohol harm does not work in practice and that targeted policies would be more effective. Despite this clear trend, the Government continues to press ahead with a wide range of measures designed to control alcohol consumption at national level. 

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: "In reality, alcohol policies designed to reduce drinking in the whole population are misguided. Controls on the total amount we drink will not work. What we need is a new debate about effective policy measures that are clearly targeted at the minority who misuse alcohol. Our industry is open to that debate and wants to be part of the solution."

Simmonds added: "Partnerships with the police and local authority licensing authorities have to be the way forward, together with strict enforcement of existing laws. Equally, we need to educate the public about the effects of excessive alcohol consumption to encourage them to make better choices and thereby reduce alcohol misuse and the related harms. The BBPA and our members are playing our part and are always looking at what more we can do."

Related Articles:

• 06 May 2009 - Women are binge drinking more
• 18 Mar 2009 - New figures show 3.2% fall in alcohol consumption

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.