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The UK government said yesterday it “will act where necessary to protect public safety” on alcohol delivery from online platforms.

“I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field,” wrote Sarah Jones (pictured below), Minister of State for Policing and Crime, in identical responses to queries from Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome and Labour MP Peter Prinsley.

“The government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services,” Jones wrote, noting the UK’s current licensing laws date back to 2003. 

The Department for Health and Social Care and the Home Office are  together “looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health”, Jones wrote.

Alcohol Change, a UK NGO, recently began a campaign for action to reduce the risks that the home delivery of alcohol poses, especially rapid delivery. CEO Richard Piper outlined the charity’s proposals in an interview last week with Alcohol Review. ■ 

Online alcohol delivery is thought to amplify the already increased risks of drinking alcohol at home. Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, outlines the charity’s campaign for tighter controls, while also reflecting on the UK’s elevated alcohol death toll and new research on alcohol-free drinks. ■

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Higher levels of alcohol consumption are associated with brain diseases and dysfunction, but there is little evidence of what happens at levels commonly thought of as low risk. A paper published this week has looked to narrow this gap with a small-sample study. Alcohol Review caught up with one of the authors, Professor Tim Durazzo of Stanford University. Full paper ■

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Alcohol Review caught up with Professor Evan Wood, one of the authors of a new paper proposing “timesaving and pragmatic approach” to alcohol screening. The five-stage questionnaire hinges on whether someone says they consume more or less than 34ml of alcohol per occasion or per week, or two Canadian standard drinks. Full paper https://www.cmaj.ca/content/198/17/E655/tab-article  ■

Drinks made as no- and low-alcohol alternatives to alcoholic drinks, known as “nolos”, seem to play little role in the alcohol consumption of young Brits, according to research published this week.

There is currently no clear evidence for nolo drinks taking the place of alcohol products to any significant degree in any age group. This means they lack the solid evidence base of public health measures around price, availability and advertising.

Brits between 16 and 25 are three times more likely to start drinking alcohol than nolos, with nearly two-thirds of them opting to try alcohol, found a survey funded by Alcohol Change UK. It also found little evidence that nolos change young people’s alcohol consumption for better or worse.

But parents do have a significant impact. “Most primary carers interviewed thought it was acceptable for young people to drink some alcohol within the family home, with some believing it is their responsibility to introduce their adolescent children to alcohol,” the survey found.

The charity pointed out that these parental attitudes are held despite “strong evidence that an alcohol-free childhood is the safest option”. Drinks made as no- and low-alcohol alternatives to alcoholic drinks, known as “nolos”, seem to play little role in the alcohol consumption of young Brits, according to research published this week.

There is currently no clear evidence for nolo drinks taking the place of alcohol products to any significant degree in any age group. This means they lack the solid evidence base of public health measures around price, availability and advertising.

The survey found some evidence to support worries that alcohol-branded nolos are cementing alcohol brands in the minds of adolescents, with most of them familiar with Heineken, Guinness and Gordon’s alcohol-free spinoffs. This may mean they are more likely to try the alcoholic primary brands.

Brits between 16 and 25 are three times more likely to start drinking alcohol than nolos, with nearly two-thirds of them opting to try alcohol, found a survey funded by Alcohol Change UK. It also found little evidence that nolos change young people’s alcohol consumption for better or worse.

But parents do have a significant impact. “Most primary carers interviewed thought it was acceptable for young people to drink some alcohol within the family home, with some believing it is their responsibility to introduce their adolescent children to alcohol,” the survey found.

The charity pointed out that these parental attitudes are held despite “strong evidence that an alcohol-free childhood is the safest option”.

AR: Alcohol Review has long argued for scepticism around well-funded hype around nolos. There is no evidence that they help reduce alcohol harm, while their media presence distracts from consideration of well-evidenced policies. They also provide a way for alcohol brands to reach young audiences, notably by promoting alcohol-free versions of an alcohol brand at high-profile global sports events like F1 and the Olympics. ■

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Gender-based and sexual violence often involves perpetrators who are under the influence of alcohol, with cases spiking around holidays and sports events. Sheila Gilheany of Alcohol Action Ireland presents the evidence and some policies which would help tackle the problem. See more from AR2026. ■