What's happened
Recent data shows US adults' weekly alcohol consumption remains steady since 1975, with slight recent declines. Experts suggest economic factors, not long-term behavioral shifts, primarily drive current trends. Meanwhile, Thailand relaxes alcohol sales hours, testing a new policy after decades of restrictions. Pregnant women increasingly choose alcohol-free options, but lack clear guidance.
What's behind the headline?
The data challenges the narrative of a long-term decline in US drinking habits. While surveys suggest a decrease, the steady weekly consumption indicates that overall drinking levels remain resilient. The recent decline appears linked to economic pressures—high interest rates and inflation—rather than a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. The shift from high-volume drinks like beer to lower-volume spirits complicates the picture, as total servings per person have not drastically changed. The increase in Gen Z drinking reports suggests that younger generations are not shunning alcohol as much as some surveys imply, but economic constraints may limit their consumption. Thailand's policy change reflects a different approach—testing whether easing restrictions can reduce illegal sales and related issues. The rise in alcohol-free options among pregnant women highlights a growing awareness of health risks, but the lack of clear guidance underscores the need for better education and regulation. Overall, these stories reveal a complex landscape where economic, cultural, and health factors intertwine to shape drinking habits.
What the papers say
The Independent and Reuters provide contrasting perspectives on US alcohol consumption. The Independent emphasizes that recent declines are modest and likely driven by economic factors, with data showing stable weekly drinking levels since 1975. Emma Rumney from The Independent notes that 'it's currently at its lowest since 1995, but this reflects a decline of around 1.1 servings per person from 2021,' and highlights that survey data shows mixed signals about long-term trends. Conversely, Reuters, also quoting Emma Rumney, stresses that the data indicates little change over decades, with 'the number of weekly drinks per U.S. adult has hovered between 10 and 12 since 1975,' and suggests that economic pressures are the main drivers of recent declines. Both sources agree that the narrative of a historic shift away from drinking is overstated, but The Independent provides a broader context about the potential for long-term behavioral change, while Reuters emphasizes the stability of consumption patterns. The coverage underscores the importance of understanding economic influences and shifting preferences in interpreting alcohol consumption trends.
How we got here
Data from IWSR indicates that US adults' weekly alcohol intake has hovered between 10 and 12 drinks since 1975. Recent declines are modest, with a peak of 11.5 drinks in 2021. Surveys show mixed signals about long-term drinking trends, with economic pressures and shifting preferences influencing consumption. Thailand's government is testing a new policy to extend alcohol sales hours, ending a longstanding ban, amid concerns about alcohol-related issues. Meanwhile, pregnant women are increasingly consuming no/lo drinks, but lack consistent guidance from healthcare providers, raising safety concerns.
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