Sister's Petition Seeks Ban on Alcohol Sales via Delivery Apps After Fatal Fall

Alex Hughes started a petition calling for a ban on alcohol sales through food delivery apps after her sister Zoe died from injuries in a fall down stairs at her Lincoln home while under the influence of alcohol.

Zoe, 35, spent between £1,000 and £1,500 a month on alcohol via Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, according to Alex, 31. Campaigners pushing for restrictions are working with Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January.

The delivery companies say they follow the law, promote responsible delivery and suspend accounts when concerns arise. Alcohol Change UK wants the government to add more checks for app buyers. Officials say they are reviewing how licensing rules apply to rapid alcohol deliveries.

Alex described Zoe as "full of life" and devoted to her children. "It came as a bit of a shock to the family when we found out she had a drinking problem," she said.

Zoe lived with their parents in rural Lincolnshire at first, walking to shops for drinks. Her consumption spiraled after she moved to an urban area. She drank five to seven bottles of wine, gin or vodka daily before her 2023 death.

Delivery apps made access easy, Alex said. "All she had to do was go on her phone, click a few buttons and it would be delivered in as quick as 20 minutes."

An inquest ruled the death accidental. The coroner found that "on the balance of probabilities," Zoe died "as a consequence of injuries arising from an unwitnessed fall whilst under the influence of alcohol."

Alex calls for a ban or safeguards like daily purchase caps and time limits. "Zoe could order sometimes at six in the morning," she said. She also wants a self-exclusion register like those for gambling.

The Licensing Act 2003 already bans sales to drunk people. Delivery firms conduct age checks and instruct drivers not to leave alcohol with intoxicated recipients.

Joe Marley, director of Alcohol Change UK, said the act, created long ago, has not kept pace with delivery realities. The charity seeks tighter hours and easier self-blocking.

Hattie Underwood, 35, a recovering alcoholic and Alcohol Change UK champion from London, used the apps heavily. "Psychologically they took all the barriers out of the way," she said. Even with a painful stomach ulcer that kept her off work, she ordered alcohol before her planned 10 a.m. start time.

Daniel Dobbs, 39, a recovering alcoholic and coach with the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership, backs safeguards that protect vulnerable people without removing choice. "That's not something I ever want to go back to," he said.