Britons reported to be drinking less, as data shows consumption at record low | Alcohol

People in Britain are reportedly drinking less alcohol than in previous years.

The average British adult consumed 10.2 alcoholic drinks a week last year, the lowest since data began being collected in 1990 and down more than a quarter from a peak of 14 two decades ago, according to the data. IWSR research company figures published in the FT.

However, despite the decline in consumption, abstinence rates are not increasing, suggesting that more moderate drinking habits are driving the trend.

“The population is aging and older consumers are physiologically unable to drink as much,” Maarten Lodewijks, president of the IWSR, told the newspaper.

“There are also elements of health consciousness… and the cost of living is rising, so people simply can't afford to 'drink' as much.”

Latest figures show that although people are drinking less than before, they are still drinking above the NHS recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week.

Ten pints of weak beer would be equal to 20 units, and 10 large glasses of wine would be equal to 30 units.

A Research from the charity Drinkaware shows Almost three quarters (73%) of UK adult drinkers plan to moderate their drinking over Christmas, while around a quarter (28%) of drinkers intend to drink more over Christmas but plan to reduce their drinking in the new year.

Karen Tyrell, chief executive of Drinkaware, said: “Almost three out of four of us plan ahead for this. ChristmasIt's nice to see such a balanced approach to our holiday fun.

“With a few simple tips we can enjoy our favorite Christmas drinks with friends and family without overindulging. “A good first step is to understand your own drinking habits, which you can do by taking a drinking test on our website.

“Following the Chief Medical Officer's guidance of drinking no more than 14 drinks a week, including a few alcohol-free days, can make a big difference. Reaching out to friends and family for support can help you stick to whatever plan you've set, while the growing range of low- and no-alcohol options also makes it easier to switch up some drinks at a party.”