Huge variety of younger Brits have by no means drunk greater than three pints in a session

The end of an era is dawning in the UK as new research has suggested that a third of under 34s have never sunk more than three pints in one sitting.

An annual survey of more than 5,000 adults by the charity Drinkaware made several stark findings, including that a quarter of those aged 18 to 24, is completely teetotal. Findings suggested that sobriety in the age group is twice as high as in their parents’ generation.

Non-alcoholic spirits, wines and beers have surged in popularity over the past 12 months. Pub-goers are also alternating between alcoholic and booze-free drinks in a trend dubbed “zebra striping”.

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However, the so-called ‘higher social classes’ are drinking a lot more, with the findings suggesting consumption in that strata has more than doubled since 2018.

Karen Tyrell, chief executive of Drinkaware, said: “It is really encouraging to see the growth in people moderating their drinking, especially among the young.

“The growth of low and no-alcohol drinks and their increase in popularity makes it much easier for people to moderate their drinking.

“However, more than 10,000 people died from alcohol-related illness last year, the highest on record. Understanding how much you drink can help prevent your health being put at serious risk.”

Taking drink-free days is the most popular way to moderate according to the survey – up from 67% in 2023 to 71% in 2024.

However, around eight million people are ­drinking to potentially harmful levels by exceeding guidelines of no more than 14 units per week.

Some 28% reported being concerned about someone else’s drinking in the past 12 months, up from 26 per cent the year before.

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