A woman whose sister spent £1,000 monthly on alcohol delivered through apps is now campaigning for stricter regulations on booze delivery services. She's partnering with Dry January, the annual sobriety charity, to push for tighter controls on how easily consumers can access alcohol through platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
The sister's spending pattern highlights a growing concern about addiction facilitation. Delivery apps have made purchasing alcohol frictionless, removing the friction of a physical store visit that might prompt reflection. The woman argues that apps lack proper age verification and don't implement spending caps or consumption warnings that might protect vulnerable users.
Dry January, which helps millions attempt a month without alcohol each year, sees this as part of a wider public health issue. The charity supports her push for mandatory responsible drinking practices on delivery platforms. This includes better consent checks, purchase limits, and clearer labeling of units and health guidance.
Alcohol delivery services have exploded since the pandemic locked down pubs and bars. SuperMarkets and apps now compete aggressively for booze orders, often with discounts and promotions that undercut traditional retail. The speed and convenience mean someone struggling with addiction faces minimal barriers to purchasing.
Regulators haven't kept pace. Unlike gambling platforms, which face strict affordability checks and cooling-off periods, alcohol delivery operates in a regulatory gap. The woman's campaign targets this gap, calling for app-based safeguards similar to those used in gambling harm prevention.
Her effort arrives as public health bodies increasingly flag alcohol's link to disease, liver damage, and mental health decline. If her campaign gains traction, delivery platforms may face pressure to implement friction where profit currently demands none.