Over 5,000 adults were surveyed for the annual Drinkaware Monitor – since 2009, the UK’s only national survey that provides an insight into the country’s drinking habits, according to the official bumph.

The 2024 Monitor, published on Sept 26, shows:

• Nine in ten UK drinkers moderate their drinking – up from 87% in 2023 and 84% in 2018
• Yet in five (19%) UK drinkers – around eight million people – are exceeding the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines, and putting their health at serious risk
• Some 28% of people have been concerned about someone else's drinking in the last 12 months

And there are plenty more findings to discuss in a report that is 76 pages long. Luckily, Cess and Ollie are joined by Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell to discuss it all.

Additionally, there is a plug for Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine – issue 10 came out over the weekend. Editor Denise has kindly offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount by using the code UPPER20. Enjoy!

Finally, with it being the first of the month, perhaps you would like to participate in a no-drinking October? Maybe you want to raise money for cancer research at the same time? This week's Just the Tonic flags how you can "Go Sober" this October, and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.gosober.org.uk/. Good luck!

Booze News items:

Hummus societies, sober spa evenings and macramé crafts nights: How Gen-Z students are ditching the booze this freshers' week (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13903727/Gen-Z-students-ditching-booze-freshers-week-Hummus-societies.html)

The Independent: The disturbing (and extremely sobering) story behind the anti-alcohol movement (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/wine-alcohol-health-movendi-who-templars-b2616361.html)

CNN (via MSN): Some experts are calling for age restrictions on the sale of nonalcoholic drinks. Here’s why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/some-experts-are-calling-for-age-restrictions-on-the-sale-of-nonalcoholic-drinks-here-s-why/ar-AA1qTURW)

Daily Mail: It's no beer Keir! As Labour reveal latest attack on booze, how Starmer's nanny state drive to 'boost health' threatens to decimate Britain's hospitality industry (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13884921/Its-no-beer-Keir-Labour-reveal-latest-attack-booze-Starmers-nanny-state-drive-boost-health-threatens-decimate-Britains-hospitality-industry.html)

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