Alcohol-specific deaths in the United Kingdom have seen a significant rise since 2019, increasing by over 35 percent, with a substantial portion of these fatalities involving liver disease. Research published in The Lancet indicates that between 2020 and 2022, nearly 4,000 additional Britons died from alcohol-related causes compared to the preceding two-year average. The surge has been most pronounced among men and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, though a concerning increase has also been observed among middle-aged women.
While some attribute the rise to the isolation and increased consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns, scientists point to several lesser-known factors contributing to the crisis. Dr. Melissa Oldham of University College London highlights the growing public health concern surrounding rapid alcohol delivery services, which allow consumers to receive drinks within a short timeframe. "They are definitely changing the scope of how and when people access alcohol," she stated.
Campaigners and some families of victims are calling for stricter regulations on alcohol delivery apps, arguing they exacerbate alcoholism and addiction management challenges. Zoe Hughes, whose sister died in July 2023 after struggling with alcoholism exacerbated by frequent use of delivery apps, has petitioned for tighter controls on alcohol sales by such companies. Her sister reportedly spent up to £1,500 per month on alcohol ordered through apps like Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
Professor Colin Angus of the University of Sheffield, also involved in the Lancet study, notes that the ease of alcohol access in Britain often astonishes international observers. He points out the high concentration of licensed premises, particularly in areas like Covent Garden, where over a thousand alcohol vendors are located within a one-kilometer radius of the Underground station. "Although the number of pubs has fallen since then, the availability of alcohol in shops has increased hugely," he said.
The availability of a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including stronger alcopops and premixed cocktails, has also surged. Experts trace the foundations of the current crisis back to changes in licensing laws initiated in the 1960s, which gradually made alcohol cheaper, more accessible, and more integrated into daily life. The abolition of compulsory afternoon breaks in pubs in England and Wales in 1988, and subsequent changes in 1995, allowed for continuous opening hours, further embedding alcohol consumption into social routines.
Furthermore, alcohol has become significantly more affordable. NHS figures from 2024 reveal that alcohol is 91 percent more affordable than in 1987, largely due to supermarkets offering lower prices than pubs and bars. This shift has led to a cultural change, with many people opting to drink at home rather than in pubs, a trend that can lead to prolonged consumption due to the absence of closing times.
Historically, British pubs were often male-dominated spaces, with women sometimes segregated or served separately. While discriminatory practices have been addressed legally, societal norms have shifted considerably. Professor Angus observes that alcohol consumption among women has increased, with liver disease trends in women tripling. He notes that as drinking moved from pubs to homes, wine became more readily available and socially acceptable for women. He also questions the marketing of wine towards women and the exemption of alcoholic beverages from nutritional labeling requirements that apply to most other food and drink products. "It is difficult to understand how we have ended up in that position without considering the influence of alcohol-industry lobbying," he commented, suggesting that clearer labeling might reveal the calorie content of alcoholic drinks, particularly wine.
