A majority of Americans now see alcohol as harmful to health

Saturday 16 August 2025 - 08:15

For the first time, a majority of Americans believe that drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts, is harmful to their health, according to a new Gallup survey released this week.

The poll highlights a significant shift in attitudes toward alcohol in the United States, with overall consumption reaching historically low levels in 2025. Only 54% of respondents said they drink, compared to at least 60% between 1997 and 2023.

Gallup has tracked alcohol consumption since 1939, shortly after the end of Prohibition. The average number of drinks consumed in the week prior to the survey was 2.8, the lowest figure recorded since 1996.

More striking, however, is the change in perception: 53% of Americans now say that even one or two daily drinks are bad for health, up from 27% in the early 2000s. This comes amid growing awareness of alcohol’s link to cancer and other long-term health risks.

Despite progress, U.S. health authorities warn that public understanding remains insufficient. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General called for stronger prevention campaigns, stressing that “most Americans are not fully aware of the carcinogenic risks of alcohol, even at low levels.”