Dry January is greater than a development. It’s an opportunity to reset our relationship with alcohol and defend our well being.
We’re midway by means of Dry January, and far of the media dialog has centered on the pressures dealing with pubs and the drinks business. However this could not distract us from a wider reality: alcohol stays a significant and rising public well being difficulty within the UK.
Dry January isn’t about telling individuals what to not do. It’s about giving individuals area to pause, mirror and make knowledgeable decisions. This yr, round 17.5 million adults are anticipated to participate. That stage of engagement reveals a rising willingness to query how alcohol suits into our lives.
Alcohol-related deaths at the moment are at document ranges, and hurt shouldn’t be shared equally. Individuals already dealing with inequality are most affected. Alcohol is linked to cancers, coronary heart illness, liver illness, psychological ailing well being, accidents and violence — but public consciousness of those dangers stays low.
One of many least understood hyperlinks is between alcohol and oral most cancers. Alcohol is a significant threat issue for cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus. When mixed with smoking, the danger will increase dramatically. Regardless of this, oral most cancers is usually lacking from wider alcohol conversations, despite the fact that early detection can save lives.
Drink-driving supplies one other instance of the place proof and notion diverge. Even on the present authorized restrict in England and Wales, the danger of a deadly collision will increase several-fold. Hundreds of drink-driving offences are recorded every year, with lasting penalties for people, households and communities. Coverage measures that cut back alcohol hurt defend everybody.
We’re additionally seeing shifts in alcohol advertising and marketing. Zero-alcohol merchandise are extra seen, together with in sport. These choices might assist some adults reduce down, however analysis means that youthful audiences don’t at all times recognise or perceive the distinction. Clear labelling and accountable advertising and marketing stay important.
From February 2026, alcohol obligation will rise with inflation. This can be a welcome step after years of freezes. Nevertheless, alcohol remains to be extra reasonably priced in actual phrases than it was a decade in the past. Proof reveals that pricing and taxation cut back hurt and assist fund prevention, early analysis and therapy — together with for oral most cancers.
Dry January challenges the concept alcohol have to be a part of each social second or coping technique. It normalises selecting to not drink, not as a punishment, however as a constructive, knowledgeable resolution. Proof reveals that even a brief break can result in longer-term advantages for sleep, temper, vitality and total well being.
Some ask why one month issues. Behaviour change not often occurs in a single day. It begins with intention, help and alternative. Public well being shouldn’t be about blame. It’s about creating environments the place more healthy decisions are simpler and higher supported.
Coverage conversations are starting to catch up. Alcohol is more and more mentioned in relation to most cancers threat, inequality and long-term well being. Cultural moments like Dry January assist push these conversations ahead opening the door to earlier analysis and prevention.
Dry January shouldn’t be about guilt or advantage. It’s a sensible alternative to mirror, reset and take management. Speaking actually about alcohol — together with its hyperlink to oral most cancers — helps individuals make decisions that help more healthy, longer lives.
What the Oral Well being Basis is looking for
To scale back alcohol-related hurt and enhance early detection of oral most cancers, the Oral Well being Basis requires:
- Clearer public data
Alcohol must be persistently recognised as a threat issue for oral most cancers in public well being messaging, alongside smoking. - Higher early detection
Higher funding in consciousness of oral most cancers indicators and signs, so individuals know when to hunt assist early. - Accountable advertising and marketing and labelling
Clear, unambiguous labelling of zero-alcohol merchandise and stronger protections for youngsters and younger individuals. - Proof-based alcohol coverage
Pricing, taxation and availability insurance policies that mirror the true value of alcohol-related hurt and fund prevention and therapy companies. - Supportive, non-judgmental assist
Accessible help for individuals who wish to reduce down or cease ingesting — with out stigma or disgrace.
