A study reveals that more Brits are drinking low and nonalcoholic beers, wines and spirits as they avoid drunken lifestyles.
The trend is being driven largely by younger adults, who are more likely to embrace year-round sobriety.
Almost four in ten UK drinkers (38 per cent) now also consume low or no-alcohol alternatives regularly or occasionally, up from 29 per cent in 2022.
And more than a quarter (29 percent) of adults who consume these drinks cite “medical and health” concerns as a key reason for sometimes choosing an alternative to the real thing.
But the most popular reason for avoiding a strong drink is to be able to drive home after social events (28 percent), the survey of 2,081 adults reveals.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by alcohol industry regulator Portman Group, found that one in four people (24 per cent) would like to see more low and no options available in pubs to further encourage them to switch .
They also want to see greater use of price promotions (30 percent) and greater availability of low or no products in non-traditional hospitality spaces (26 percent), such as nightclubs, theaters, movie theaters, and live music and event venues .
Young adults are the largest consumers of low- and no-alcohol alternatives, and nearly half (46 percent) of 25- to 34-year-olds surveyed consider themselves occasional or regular drinkers of alcohol alternatives.
Almost four in ten UK drinkers (38 per cent) now also consume low or no-alcohol alternatives regularly or occasionally, up from 29 per cent in 2022 (file image).
The trend is being driven largely by younger adults, who are more likely to embrace year-round sobriety (file image)
The younger generation also remains the most sober age group overall: 39 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds don’t drink alcohol at all.
The Portman Group said the results suggest these alternatives are helping people to “moderate” their alcohol consumption, with 24 per cent of current alcohol drinkers saying their weekly consumption has decreased due to low-alcohol products. alcohol or no alcohol.
Matt Lambert, chief executive of the organisations, said: “It is fantastic to see low and no alternatives continuing to rise in popularity, whilst helping to encourage more conscious and moderate consumption among UK alcohol drinkers.”
“We welcome the drinks and hospitality industry continuing to work together to increase the choice, availability and visibility of alcoholic and non-alcoholic alternatives, and continue to urge the UK Government to provide us with the outcome of the recent consultation on low alcohol descriptors, which will further facilitate the growth of the UK low or no alcohol market.’