Dry January is greater than a development. It’s an opportunity to reset our relationship with alcohol and shield our well being.
We’re midway by Dry January, and far of the media dialog has targeted on the pressures dealing with pubs and the drinks trade. However this could not distract us from a wider fact: alcohol stays a serious and rising public well being problem within the UK.
Dry January isn’t about telling individuals what to not do. It’s about giving individuals area to pause, replicate and make knowledgeable decisions. This 12 months, round 17.5 million adults are anticipated to participate. That degree of engagement exhibits a rising willingness to query how alcohol suits into our lives.
Alcohol-related deaths at the moment are at document ranges, and hurt just isn’t shared equally. Folks already dealing with inequality are most affected. Alcohol is linked to cancers, coronary heart illness, liver illness, psychological sick 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 serious threat issue for cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus. When mixed with smoking, the chance will increase dramatically. Regardless of this, oral most cancers is usually lacking from wider alcohol conversations, though early detection can save lives.
Drink-driving offers one other instance of the place proof and notion diverge. Even on the present authorized restrict in England and Wales, the chance of a deadly collision will increase several-fold. Hundreds of drink-driving offences are recorded annually, with lasting penalties for people, households and communities. Coverage measures that cut back alcohol hurt shield 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 lower 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. It is a welcome step after years of freezes. Nonetheless, alcohol continues to be extra reasonably priced in actual phrases than it was a decade in the past. Proof exhibits 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 optimistic, knowledgeable determination. Proof exhibits that even a brief break can result in longer-term advantages for sleep, temper, power and general 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 just isn’t 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 replicate, 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 asking for
To cut back alcohol-related hurt and enhance early detection of oral most cancers, the Oral Well being Basis requires:
- Clearer public info
Alcohol needs to be persistently recognised as a threat issue for oral most cancers in public well being messaging, alongside smoking. - Higher early detection
Better 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 replicate the true price of alcohol-related hurt and fund prevention and therapy companies. - Supportive, non-judgmental assist
Accessible help for individuals who need to lower down or cease consuming — with out stigma or disgrace.