Trend analysis and modelling of gender‐specific age, period and birth cohort effects on alcohol abstention and consumption level for drinkers in <scp>G</scp>reat <scp>B</scp>ritain using the <scp>G</scp>eneral <scp>L</scp>ifestyle <scp>S</scp>urvey 1984–2009

Abstract

Rising female consumption of alcohol and progression of higher-consuming birth cohorts through the life course are key drivers of increased per capita alcohol consumption in the United Kingdom. Recent declines in alcohol consumption appear to be attributable to reduced consumption and increased abstinence rates among the most recent birth cohorts, especially males, and general increased rates of abstention across the study period.