Levels of alcohol consumption have been on a downward trend since 2004, prompting the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) to call out against 'population' based approaches to alcohol harm reduction such as pricing measures and the mandatory licensing code.
Based on figures from HM Revenues and Customs data, sales have been falling since their 2004 peak, although 2007 levels showed a slight increase on the previous year. Nonetheless the longer term trend has been one of a more significant increase as demonstrated in the recent report from the Alcohol Health and Research Unit 'Future Proof'.
However consideration is urged when interpreting the data and assessing trends - consumption falls may be predominantly determined by significant decreases in consumption levels amongst younger drinkers in particular (16-24 age group). This was highlighted in the report released earlier this year by the JRF 'Drinking in the UK: an exploration of trends'. The impact of the recession, continued rise in home consumption and issues such as convergence between men and women's drinking patterns is also unclear.
Although rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are still rising, the rate of increase has been slowing down over recent years. This is likely to reflect the recent falls in consumption as well as the possible impact of alcohol harm reduction interventions such as the such as the NHS led High Impact Changes.
Graph examining trends in per capita alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths for the whole UK in the years 1984 – 2008. Source: 'Future Proof: Alcohol Consumption, Mortality and Morbidity - Key Findings' Professor Martin Plant 2009
Further information on consumption and the UK is detailed in the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) factsheets and presentation:
- 'Drinking in Great Britain' factsheet (2008 update) download pdf
- Consumption and Harm in the UK and EU: A comparison of the UK with some EU countries (2009 update) download pdf
- Presentation on 'Alcohol harms and trends' (download ppt.) by Dr Rachel Seabrook from the IAS, at the AERC Alcohol Academy launch event 2009.
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