Sales of soft drinks and low-alcohol pints and wines are being boosted by a huge rise in the number of sober young adults who are drinking either less or no alcohol at all. Nearly half (44 per cent) of 18-24-year-olds were regular drinkers of alcohol alternatives in 2023, compared to 31 per cent in 2022.And this age group is the most abstemious with 39 per cent describing themselves as teetotal, according to the Portman Group's sixth annual survey.