The Go Sober for October campaign is gaining momentum and yet quitting booze isn’t proving so popular among women aged 50 plus. We ask why, and what are the effects on women’s health?

Giving up or reducing alcohol has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with countless low-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks (known as ‘nolo’ – no or low alcohol) being launched, not to mention alcohol-free social events popping up.

But not everyone is onboard. Women in the 50-69 age group are more likely to exceed the guidelines on alcohol limits than younger women, according to a 2020 study at Edith Cowan University in Australia.