The Portman Group’s sixth annual survey, conducted in partnership with YouGov, reveals that young people are the largest users of low- and no-alcohol drinks. Of those surveyed between the ages of 18 and 24, nearly half (44%) said they occasionally or regularly drink alcohol alternatives, up from 31% in 2022.
As a result of low or no alcohol products, more respondents (23%) than in 2022 (21%), and over a third (35%) of those surveyed now consider themselves occasional or regular users of alcohol alternatives, a significant increase from 2022 (29%). Additionally, the younger generation is currently the most sober age group overall, with 39% of adults in the 18 to 24 age range not drinking alcohol at all.
Three quarters (75%) of UK drinkers have at least tried a low and no alcohol alternative, compared to a third (33%) of non-drinkers, and for the sixth year in a row, the most popular reasons to drink alcohol alternatives are to avoid drinking excessively at social events and being able to drive home.
Portman say that, overall, this tells a positive story about how low and no products have become an important and normal part of how the UK public moderate their drinking.
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group said, “It is welcome to see a further rise in the popularity of low and no alcohol alternatives as well as further evidence of how they are an important tool to help UK drinkers, particularly younger adults, to drink responsibly.
“The availability of alcohol alternatives has never been more abundant and we eagerly await the outcome of the recent UK Government consultation on low alcohol descriptors, which we hope will further facilitate the growth of the UK low and no alcohol market.”