The family of a man who died of alcohol abuse aged 33 is calling for restrictions on the amount of booze that can be bought on food delivery apps.

Anissa Khalfa said her cousin Tom Greest, who died in March 2025, often had alcohol delivered two or three times a day and before his death, 60 wine bottles were found at his home.

The 18-year-old, from Jarrow, in South Tyneside, said the rapid delivery apps played a part in his death and called for restrictions.

Tom often used UberEats and a spokesman for the company said: "The safety and wellbeing of our community is our priority and we are deeply committed to responsible alcohol delivery."

Anissa Khalfa is campaigning with charity Alcohol Change UK to toughen up rules for rapid delivery services.

Tom suffered liver and heart complications as a result of alcohol abuse, and the cause of his death was alcoholic ketoacidosis when there is a buildup of acids called ketones in the blood, caused by heavy drinking combined with a lack of food.

A survey by the charity found one in five UK adults (22%) were using rapid delivery services to order alcohol at least once a week.

Adults are advised to have no more than 14 units of alcohol a week and researchers found heavier drinkers (about 43%) were more likely to use rapid alcohol delivery apps on a weekly basis.

Anissa said: "At one point we found around 60 wine bottles in his house.

"He had a good job so money wasn't an issue to him - he would just order more via the same apps but through different suppliers.

"He had so many friends and there were so many people at his funeral.

"I still feel bitterly angry though and wonder what would have happened had he not fallen into the online delivery trap which ended his life far too young.

"There are millions of people struggling with alcohol-related illness, and all around them are adverts and temptations to drink, from ads on the TV to piles of bottles at the front of supermarkets."

Susan Taylor, head of alcohol policy at Fresh Balance, which aims to reduce the harm from tobacco and alcohol in the region, said: "Anissa's family's shocking story is one of many coming out across the country on how rapid deliveries have destroyed people's health, fuelled alcohol addiction and added to pressures faced by the NHS.

"Nearly half a million people in the North East are estimated to be using rapid delivery apps to order alcohol regularly.

"Among them are many people already drinking at levels that increase the risk of harm, who are twice as likely to order alcohol through these services every week.

"It is abundantly clear now that national action is needed to strengthen protections to people who are addicted and at risk."

Uber Eats said it was sorry to hear of the family's loss.

A spokesman said it had dedicated processes for family members or merchants to raise concerns on alcohol sales.

"To help ensure responsible consumption, every alcohol delivery requires the courier to verify the customer's age and conduct a sobriety check before an order can be completed," they added.

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