More and more Flemings – around 44 per cent of the adult population -rarely or never drink alcohol. Four years ago, the figure was 36 per cent. The figure comes from a survey of 2,292 Flemings commissioned by the Stand Up to Cancer charity Kom op tegen Kanker. The organisation is announcing the results at the start of Sober October, an initiative to abstain from alcohol for a month.
A survey of 2,292 Flemish adults commissioned by Kom op tegen Kanker shows that 18 per cent of Flemings never drink alcohol. 26 per cent say they almost never drink alcohol. Altogether, therefore, 44 per cent say they drink rarely or never.
In a similar survey in 2022, the figure was 36 per cent (14 per cent never and 22 per cent almost never). “It is becoming increasingly normal to drink less alcohol,” says Ward Rommel, head of research and policy at Kom op tegen Kanker.
“Flemings’ understanding of the risks associated with alcohol is also improving. This is an encouraging sign as Sober October gets underway.” This is an initiative that originated in the UK, in which participants challenge themselves to go without alcohol for a month. It is now taking place in several countries.
Some myths about alcohol are also losing ground. In 2022, 45 per cent of Flemings still mistakenly believed that moderate drinking was good for the heart and blood vessels. That figure has now fallen to 36 per cent.
The belief that one glass of alcohol a day does no harm is also losing ground. Only 34 per cent are still convinced of this; in 2022, that figure was almost half of those surveyed.
Link to cancer still not widely known
Nine in ten people know that alcohol increases the risk of liver disease, whilst seven in ten are aware that there is a risk of brain damage.
However, the link to cancer is still underestimated. Half of those surveyed do not know that alcohol increases the risk of bowel cancer. And as many as 75 per cent are unaware that this also applies to breast cancer.
“There is a clear lack of knowledge about the link between alcohol and cancer. It is important that everyone receives accurate health information,” says Ward Rommel. “Drinking alcohol carries risks, even with light to moderate consumption.”
Minimum drinking age could be raised
The study also examines the attitudes of Flemings to potential policy measures. 29 per cent of those surveyed indicated that they believe stricter regulations are a good way to encourage people to be more mindful in their alcohol consumption. In 2022, that figure stood at 25 per cent.
In particular, support for a stricter minimum age is growing. For example, 60 per cent believe that the minimum age for all alcoholic drinks should be at least 18, compared with 55 per cent in 2022.
Currently, the minimum age in Belgium is 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for all other alcoholic drinks.
Less social pressure
Social pressure also appears to be decreasing. Nearly 6 in 10 respondents (58 per cent) say they feel little or no need to justify themselves if they do not drink alcohol. 25 per cent still do feel that way. In 2022, that figure was 31 per cent.
Non-alcoholic alternatives have now become commonplace: 59 per cent have tried non-alcoholic beer at least once, and 32 per cent have tried non-alcoholic wine. “We cannot make a comparison with 2022, as these questions were included for the first time this year,” says Rommel.
“To be clear: we certainly don’t want to tell people what choices they should make. But we do want to ensure that everyone has access to the same accurate information,” Rommel adds.
“If people know the risks associated with alcohol, they can make informed choices for themselves. The fact that more and more Flemings are drinking less or not at all, and that non-alcoholic drinks are gradually becoming mainstream, certainly shows that this social change is well under way.”