The number has also dropped by 42 deaths since 2010. The ONS said that there were 8,748 alcohol-related deaths in the UK in 2011, and 8,790 in 2010.
The report said: “This fall in the number of deaths has reduced the alcohol-related death rate from 12.9 per 100,000 population in 2010 to 12.6 per 100,000 population in 2011.”
In 2002, the death rate per 100,000 population was 12.2. It was at its peak in 2008 at 13.6.
Men aged 30 and over are more likely to die of alcohol-related causes, as the study found that more than 66% of deaths were among males in 2011.
The ONS found that the deaths were highest in the north and the lowest in the east of England over the last 10 years.
Age-specific alcohol-related death rates were highest for those aged 55 to 59 and lowest for those less than 30.
Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group, responsibility body for the UK drinks producers, said: “It is encouraging that alcohol-related death rates are at their lowest since 2002 but what is deeply significant is that the north suffers disproportionately more from alcohol harms than any other region. This is a clear sign that we must focus on developing local alcohol partnerships which offer tailored solutions for local areas and move away from the calls for blanket UK wide policies such as restricting availability and marketing.”
Elaine Hindal, chief executive of alcohol education charity Drinkaware, added: “This is a stark reminder that alcohol misuse can have fatal consequences. Although there is no significant change in the number of alcohol related deaths in England and Wales overall, a person living in the north is at much higher risk of dying than someone living in the east of England.
“In 2011 two thirds (66%) of alcohol related deaths were from alcoholic liver disease. Many people don’t realise this is a condition that develops slowly and has no warning signs. Regularly drinking above the guidelines, often done unwittingly, puts people at increased risk of developing long-term health harms including cancer, heart and liver disease. That’s why it’s important people check to see if they are drinking to harmful levels and take action to cut back.
“It is imperative we change attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol to avoid the drinkers of today becoming the future alcohol-related death statistics. Education has a key role to play so it’s important that the Government, public health community, drinks industry and voluntary sector works in partnership to address this.”