The legal availability of alcohol is generally accepted to be one of the main controls on levels of alcohol consumption and harm. Licensing systems are therefore a key component of an overall alcohol control policy.
Licensing laws control where, when and to whom alcohol can be sold or supplied.
Restricting the physical availability of retailed alcohol (via reduced hours of sale) are among the World Health Organization's 'Best Buy' interventions for reducing the prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The following questions provide information on the licensing regulations in the UK and trends in the number of licensed premises. There is also information about the impact of licensing and availability regulations on public health and the night time economy.
Resources available on this page:
- Frequently Asked Questions about 'Availability', with infographics presenting the most up-to-date statistics on the subject
- Factsheets providing an in depth perspective on the subject of 'Availability'
- Publications, Blogs, and News tagged 'Availability' for further reading
Frequently Asked Questions

Publications (View all)

IAS response to Call for evidence and views on the licensing and registration of clubs (Amendment) bill
January 2021

IAS response to Liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland consultation
December 2019

IAS response to ‘Alcohol and late night refreshment licensing statistics’ consultation
January 2019
Blogs (View all)
Increasing choice to encourage the selection of non-alcoholic, rather than alcoholic, drinks
9th June 2020 | Anna Blackwell
Originally published on the BMC blog Read more »
Confronting the coronavirus: South Africa’s response
18th May 2020 | Maurice Smithers
It seems the South African Government, now more than ever, is willing to consider a re-evaluation of the liquor regulatory environment Read more »
Evaluating the effect of individual alcohol licensing decisions on local health and crime
13th May 2020 | Frank de Vocht
Licensing authority control of alcohol availability can have a positive impact on health and crime in a local vicinity Read more »
News (View all)
Two thirds of alcohol sales are to heavy drinkers
Two thirds of alcohol sales are to heavy drinkers Read more »
Supermarket alcohol 188% more affordable than thirty years ago
New analysis shows dramatic increase in affordability of shop-bought beer as Lords debate minimum unit pricing in England Read more »