UK Government Regulation of Alcohol, 1899-2010
James Nicholls (Bath Spa University)
Alcoholic drinks have long played an important role in society, both as commodities in themselves and in terms of the social impact they can have. This essay considers how the UK government has sought to regulate the trade in alcohol, and to control its wider social effects, throughout the twentieth century. Direct links are included to many of the original reports and Parliamentary papers.
Alcohol regulation in the UK passed through a number of distinct phases between 1899 and 2010. These reflected changing trends in the state regulation of markets as well as shifts in public attitudes towards alcohol. Political and legislative activity over this period has tended to focus on a number of key issues: the density and number of pubs and bars in urban areas, the effect of alcohol on long-term health, the impact of heavy consumption on anti-social behaviour, and the effects of a cultural shift towards home drinking and wine-consumption.