Survey says overall drinking down but home-drinking up

A survey of 14,500 people has revealed that heavy drinking is increasingly being done domestically rather than in the on-trade.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that both male and female respondents confessed that they did their heaviest drinking at home, with an over 30% discrepancy for women when the on-trade V domestic comparison was made. Figures showed that alcohol deaths showed an increase of 307 to 9,031 in 2008. The ONS survey also revealed – perhaps not surprisingly in terms of economic change - a shift towards professional workers drinking an increased amount compared to manual workers.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said that the ONS survey redressed the balance in terms of popular perceptions of the prevalence of alcohol in society. NOCTIS – the trade association for the late night sector – said that it provided evidence for more equitable treatment for the trade in general and that cheaper off-trade sales needed to be addressed. Executive Director Paul Smith argued: “These figures reflect what we at NOCTIS have been saying for some time. Clearly, when looking at health harms, it makes perfect sense for legislators to focus on those retailers who are selling the majority of the alcohol. We believe that bars, clubs and pubs are actually the solution to many of the issues we face around harmful consumption. Our members provide an invaluable service in terms of dispensing drinks and, consequently, mediating consumption responsibly.”

29 January 2010