Dying for a drink: scores of alcohol-specific fatalities have been recorded in Wigan

A charity working to reduce alcohol-related harm said "every death is a tragedy" and warned the slight decline nationwide "is no cause for complacency".

Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, based on Office for National Statistics data, show 67 fatalities from "alcohol-specific” conditions in Wigan in 2024, corresponding to nearly 20 deaths per 100,000 people.

It was down from 72 deaths in 2023.

The figures show 179 deaths from “alcohol-related” conditions in 2024, the equivalent of nearly 53 deaths per 100,000 population.

Deaths from alcohol-related conditions include those due to alcohol-specific conditions – wholly caused by alcohol – and those that are made more likely by alcohol but also occur in people who do not drink, including heart disease or cancer.

Across England the number of alcohol-related and alcohol-specific deaths decreased after a record high in 2023.

Some 21,971 deaths from alcohol-related conditions were logged nationwide in 2024, around 39 deaths per 100,000 people.

It was down from 22,644 and a 41 per 100,000 rate the previous year, both records, but remained higher than levels observed five or 10 years prior.

Similarly, 7,673 deaths from alcohol-specific conditions were recorded last year – about 14 deaths per 100,000 population.

While it was down from 8,274 deaths and a 15 per 100,000 rate the year before, it similarly remained above levels seen previously.

Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: "While this small drop in deaths is of course positive news, it’s no cause for complacency. Every death is a tragedy – an empty seat at the table at family gatherings.

"These unnecessary lives lost, often at a young age, are preventable."

He added: "The harm caused by alcohol is far wider than deaths and hospitalisations, with many of us feeling the impact on our own health, and in our families, local areas, and workplaces.

"With bold action from Government, we can improve the world around us to make it easier for us to cut back or stop drinking alcohol if we want to by tackling cheap, strong alcohol and out-of-control marketing.

"And, with properly funded support embedded in our communities, we can also make it easier for people to get help if they’re worried about their own or someone else’s drinking."

The OHID statistics reveal there were about 60 deaths from alcohol-related conditions per 100,000 men in 2024, compared to 21 per 100,000 women.

Around 19 deaths from alcohol-specific conditions per 100,000 men were logged, while the rate fell to nine per 100,000 for women.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Any death from alcohol is a tragedy. While these figures show a slight reduction, alcohol-related deaths remain at unacceptably high levels and we are determined to drive them down.

"As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, we are supporting people to make healthier choices through our shift from sickness to prevention. This includes exploring measures such as alcohol labelling to provide better health and nutritional information.

"We have also provided an additional £310m in 2025-26 to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, on top of the Public Health Grant."