This Lords Library briefing examines the recently updated alcohol guidelines for the United Kingdom.
Alcohol Guidelines in the United Kingdom (109 KB , PDF)
On 8 January 2016, the Department of Health published changes to the alcohol guidelines for the United Kingdom. These replace the previous set of guidelines published in 1995, lowering the limit for the weekly alcohol intake for both men and women to 14 units per week. The alcohol guidelines also advise that pregnant women should avoid drinking any alcohol for the duration of their pregnancy, as alcohol can lead to “long-term harm” to their baby.
The move to update the alcohol guidelines followed a review undertaken by two expert groups in health and behaviour in 2012, who had found that there was “significant new, good quality evidence”, unavailable at the time of the previous review in 1995, regarding the effects of alcohol consumption on a person’s health.
Alcohol Guidelines in the United Kingdom (109 KB , PDF)
The bill aims to create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, alongside other measures to tackle smoking and tobacco harms. It would also further regulate vaping, curbing its appeal to children, while enabling adult smokers to use vapes as a quitting tool. The bill is similar to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which fell at dissolution 2024.
In October 2024, a report from the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee concluded that poor-quality diets were contributing to an obesity crisis in England. It said that successive governments had failed to tackle the issue, and more regulation was now needed. This briefing summarises the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response in January 2025, and reaction to both reports.
On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.
