A new opinion poll from Club Soda has reported that over half (52%) of UK adults drink alcohol at least once a week.
The data, which surveyed over 2,000 UK adults, revealed fresh insights into the nation’s drinking habits and attitudes to alcohol-free drinks.
The UK’s mindful drinking movement found that 1 in 5 (19%) of respondents said they never drink alcohol, half (52%) said they drink alcohol at least once a week, with more than one in ten (12%) drinking four or more times a week.
In comparison, men tend to drink alcohol more often than women (62% against 41% – at least once a week).
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Of those who did drink alcohol-free drinks, 72% said reducing their alcohol consumption in some way was the principal reason.
Other common reasons given for drinking alcohol-free drinks were “to enjoy the taste of an alcoholic drink without getting drunk” (33%), “to cut down the amount of alcohol I drink overall” (31%) and “to take a temporary break from drinking” (24%).
One in five (19%) respondents indicated they drank alcohol-free drinks because they “often prefer the taste of alcohol-free drinks.”
In the past, poor perceptions of the quality and flavour of alcohol-free drinks were a significant factor in preventing their consumption – this data shows attitudes may be changing.
As with alcohol, men are more likely to drink alcohol-free drinks more regularly (27% against 11% at least once a week).
Younger people are much more likely to enjoy them: 40% of the 18-34-year-olds drink them at least once a week – only 5% of the 55+ year-olds do.
Respondents were also asked whether they would want to see alcohol-free drinks more widely promoted as alternatives to alcohol, with a two-to-one majority thinking more extensive promotion of alcohol-free drinks is a good idea (67% against 33%).
It comes as research discovered that demand for no and low alcohol beer has risen by nearly 40% at Tesco in the last two years.
