A sobering shift: Will the UK's new government change drinking culture like it did with smoking?

07/02/24 • 61 min

It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something.

On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

Previous Episode

Glastonbury unplugged: Is sobriety the new headliner at festivals?

On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.

Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though.

There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?

Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#glastonbury
#musicfestivals

#sober

Next Episode

Reaching new heights: An Upper Bottom success story – how empowering is sobriety?

A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.

Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!

Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.

The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.

Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).

And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.

Booze News items:

The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)

The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html)

Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)

The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#trauma