Growing number of adults avoid booze, says NHS survey

"But far fewer older people abstain from alcohol and those who do drink, are likely to do so at more dangerous levels. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of adults who claimed not to drink alcohol had been fairly stable, at around 19% almost one in five. But these figures suggest that figure has risen, with almost a quarter of adults saying they haven't drunk alcohol in the past year."

"Age and sex are playing a significant part in attitudes towards booze. Some 39% of young men say they had abstained from alcohol. This compares to around 16% of men aged 65 and older, who say they don't drink. Among women, 31% - almost a third of those aged 16 to 24 - are non drinkers. But for older women aged 55 to 64, just 17% - fewer than one in five - don't drink."

Twenty-four percent of adults in England reported not drinking alcohol in the previous year, up from around 19% between 2011 and 2022. Abstention is higher among younger people, with 39% of young men and 31% of women aged 16 to 24 not drinking. Older adults are less likely to abstain, but those aged 65 to 74 who drink are nearly twice as likely to consume alcohol at risky levels compared with 25 to 34-year-olds. People in more deprived areas tend to drink less than more affluent neighbours. The NHS recommends no more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days.

Read at www.bbc.com