Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are more likely to be bought by heavy drinkers than lighter ones, a study suggests.
Research from the University of Sheffield found one third of adults have had an alcohol-free or low volume drink in the last year.
But the report found those who drank alcohol at “risky” levels were more likely to consume them regularly.
The study, by the university’s addictions research group (SARG), analysed household purchasing data and found that 96% of households which bought the so-called “no/lo” drinks also bought alcoholic ones.
It also suggested the availability of no/lo beers in pubs, bars and restaurants had increased, with 74% of outlets selling them in 2023.
During that year, the sales value of the drinks soared to £362m – more than doubling since 2020.
On average, consumers paid less for no/lo wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages than alcoholic versions, but beer and cider were more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.
Researchers have raised concerns about this pricing disparity, saying it could undermine the potential public health benefits.
Prof John Holmes, director of SARG, said: “Since alcohol causes the most harm among more deprived groups, any affordability barriers could limit the potential public health benefits of these products.”
Prof Adam Briggs, programme director for the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s public health research programme, which funded the study, said the findings help to provide a “much clearer picture” of consumer behaviour.
“Deaths from alcohol in England are continuing to rise and understanding how the no/lo alcohol market is changing over time is crucial to developing effective public health policy on alcohol,” he said.
Meanwhile, a separate study published in the BMJ Public Health journal also found more “risky drinkers” were using the drinks to help them cut down alcohol intake.
Researchers drew on monthly data on adults’ sociodemographic, smoking and drinking characteristics.
It found that between 2020 and 2024, the proportion using the drinks to make serious attempts to cut down rose from 35% to 44% across England, Wales and Scotland.
The study said this may have been driven by the increased availability of the no/lo drinks, as well as campaigns such as Dry January.
