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Alcohol Abstinence Rises to 24% Among English Adults

1/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

One in four adults in England abstains from alcohol, rising from 19% in 2022 to 24% in 2024.
Women abstain at 26% and men at 22%, while the West Midlands and London report non-drinker rates of 27% and 26%.
Jem Roberts of the Institute of Alcohol Studies cautioned against complacency due to record alcohol-related deaths.
The survey also shows 5% of men and 3% of women drink at higher-risk levels.

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Story summary

One in four adults in England abstains from alcohol, rising from 19% in 2022 to 24% in 2024.
Women abstain at 26% and men at 22%, while the West Midlands and London report non-drinker rates of 27% and 26%.
Jem Roberts of the Institute of Alcohol Studies cautioned against complacency due to record alcohol-related deaths.
The survey also shows 5% of men and 3% of women drink at higher-risk levels.