Steep rise in high-risk drinking by women during first lockdown

THE number of women drinking at “high-risk” levels rose by 55 per cent during the first lockdown, while the number of young adults smoking rose by a quarter.

A study, funded by Cancer Research UK, shows that among men the preva- lence of high-risk drinking rose by 31 per cent during the period, with a more steep rise seen among women.

At the same time, there was a 25 per cent increase in 18- to 34-year-olds smoking, which translated into a rise of more than 652,000 young adults.

However, a rise in the numbers quit- ting smoking was also seen. Across all age groups, there was a 99 per cent rise in people successfully quitting during lockdown compared with prepandemic, the charity said.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Sheffield examined national data that showed stark changes in lifestyles in the first lockdown. Overall, men were most likely to drink at high-risk levels but a steep rise was seen among women.

Before the first lockdown in March 2020, 34.2 per cent of men were classed as high-risk drinkers, rising to 44.7 per cent between April and July last year.

Over the same period, the percentage of woman in that category rose from 17.7 per cent to 27.5 per cent.

The paper, published in the journal Addiction, said: “The first lockdown in England in March to July 2020 was associated with increased smoking prevalence among younger adults and an increased prevalence of high-risk drinking among all socio-demographic groups. Smoking cessation activity also increased: more younger smokers attempted to quit during lockdown and more smokers quit successfully.

“However, socio-economic disparities in patterns of drinking behaviour were evident: high-risk drinking increased by more among women and those from less advantaged social grades but the rate of alcohol reduction attempts increased only among the more advantaged social grades.”

Cancer Research UK said smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer and drinking just small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of seven different types of cancer.

Dr Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow at UCL, said: “The first lockdown was unprecedented in the way it changed people’s lives ... it will be important to keep an eye on how these increases in smoking and drinking develop and to ensure support is made accessible for anyone who needs it.”