Wildcard

Depiction of Alcohol Use in the United Kingdom


In the United States, a person is of the legal drinking age when they turn twenty-one; however, in the United Kingdom, one can legally buy alcohol at the age of eighteen. Although this is only a three-year age gap, this is a minimal difference between how the U.S. and UK media depict alcohol consumption.

Drinking is seen differently in the United Kingdom compared to other parts of the world. Alcohol misuse is the most significant risk factor for individuals between fifteen and forty-nine in the UK. A global drug survey suggests that British citizens get drunk more often than anywhere else in the world. Britons claim that they get alcohol-impaired an average of 51.1 times in a twelve-month period, which is equivalent to once a week, according to a report examining drinking habits in thirty-six countries. Astoundingly, although it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of eighteen in the UK, children between the ages of five and seventeen can legally drink alcohol as long as they are on the premises of their own homes. The Guardian released a video discussing the alcohol problem taking place in Britain: 

 

Alcohol is an addictive substance. The more a person drinks, the more tolerable the effects, causing one to consume more alcohol to receive the "high" desired when drinking. This can be dangerous, especially in a country that gets drunk often. Alcohol misuse can be deadly and cause illness; however, because of the statistics of alcohol consumption in the UK, some may be left wondering how the country depicts drinking. Why do UK citizens drink as much as they do? Are they warned of its effects? How does the media in the UK portray alcohol? 

Alcohol misuse increases in adolescents exposed to television advertising and other alcoholic imagery. This type of imagery is prevalent on television in the UK. Alcohol is seen in more than fifty percent of all programs and fifty percent of advertisements at peak viewing times. According to Dr. Nathan Critchlow, lead author of a study published in the British medical journal: 
“Alcohol marketing is more than advertising; it exists in many different forms – more commonly known as the marketing mix – and we found this was reflected in what young people recalled. More than a third of young people recalled seeing alcohol advertising through television, celebrity endorsement, and special offers in the week before they participated in the survey, while more than a fifth recalled seeing outdoor adverts or adverts on social media."

It was found that heavy social media use leads to frequent drinking in young people in the UK. A study conducted found that thirty percent of respondents between the ages of sixteen and nineteen drank at least weekly; it was also revealed a higher risk of binge drinking for those in the age group who used social media. 

Experts have warned that reality television shows in the United Kingdom encourage children to drink. Such reality television shows, like Love Island, regularly show smoking and drinking. Although contestants are under a strict limit of two drinks an episode, drinking is still heavily present. Alexander Barker, the author of a study done for the Journal of Public Health, stated: 

"Given that seeing alcohol or tobacco imagery in the media promotes use among young people, this study, therefore, identifies reality television shows as a major potential driver of alcohol and tobacco consumption in young people in the UK." 

There are many posts on Twitter regarding the drinking culture in the United Kindom. For example, a post made by Twitter user Adam Price said that people attending his friend's wedding kept asking why he wouldn't drink. 

There have been posts educating the public about rising deaths due to alcohol misuse and drunk driving. 

Holly Hudson, an American Tiktoker who lives in England, has made multiple posts regarding drinking in the UK.  

@holhuds

Not exaggerating 😂🤣 ##fyp ##foryourpage ##uklife ##ukdrinkingculture

♬ original sound - Holly Hudson
@holhuds

Drinking in US vs. UK 💜😂##fyp ##foryourpage ##usvsuk ##ukvsusa ##comedy ##funny

♬ original sound - Holly Hudson

Although the posts are comedic, they highlight drinking culture in the UK. Media made to make others laugh regarding the culture also points out the problem. Becoming "blackout drunk" at any event should not be something considered normal. To U.S. citizens, drinking like this often is almost unheard of; however, this is a reality in the UK. These posts also highlight the major use of "peer pressure" in alcohol consumption. It gives off the impression that you will never live up to a certain standard unless you drink. 

There have been steps made to decrease the number of alcohol-based advertising in the United Kingdom; however, drinking is still a prevalent issue affecting young citizens and adults. Regardless of opinion, drinking can cause harm and increase the probability of developing illnesses and addiction. Allowing children to drink at a young age and encouraging it through television and advertisements will increase the likelihood that the issue will not decrease.  

The drinking culture in the United Kingdom is a growing problem, and the media is partially to blame for it. 

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