Song lyrics ‘promoting’ youth drinking

References to alcohol in the lyrics of chart hits by singers such as Katy Perry could encourage young people to drink, according to research.

Nearly one in five songs in modern UK top 10s mentions alcohol, a sharp rise from just a decade ago, said researchers from Liverpool John Moores University.

Karen Hughes, of the university’s Centre for Public Health, said: “Health and other professionals should recognise increased alcohol promotion in popular music and ensure this does not reinforce binge-drinking culture or contribute to already high burdens of alcohol on young people.”