Institute of Alcohol Studies

Institute of Alcohol Studies

@ias.org.uk

An independent organisation that seeks to bridge the gap between science and public policies to reduce alcohol-related harm. Website: https://www.ias.org.uk/ Newsletter & Podcast: https://instalcstud.substack.com/

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Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

"Making alcohol-free choices more accessible is not just a public health question. It is also about providing customers with choices they genuinely want & ensuring that pubs can afford to offer them." What can alcohol-free beer offer pubs & customers? ➡️ www.ias.org.uk/2026/10/27/c...

ias.org.ukCan pubs offer alcohol-free beer without hurting their bottom line? - Institute of Alcohol StudiesFor pubs, offering alcohol-free beer provides an opportunity to respond to changing customer preferences and demands.

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

SHAAP
@shaapalcohol.bsky.social

1,152 people died from alcohol in Scotland last year. Overall deaths fell by 3%, but deaths among women went up, and people in our most deprived areas remain 4.8 times more likely to die from alcohol. Some progress, but no reason for complacency. Our Chair responds 👇️

shaap.org.ukScottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems welcomes fall in alcohol deaths but raises concern over rising deaths among women - Scottish Health Action on Alcohol ProblemsDr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, SHAAP Chair, commented: “We are pleased to see alcohol deaths in Scotland fall for a second year, with 1,152 people dying from alcohol-specific causes in 2025, down from…

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

SHAAP
@shaapalcohol.bsky.social

Replying to @shaapalcohol.bsky.social

Spirits duty was 26% lower in real terms in 2025 than in 2013-14. Modelled research by @ias.org.uk estimates that the duty cuts and freezes between 2012 and 2019 led to 2,223 additional deaths and 66,000 extra hospital admissions in England and Scotland.

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

SHAAP
@shaapalcohol.bsky.social

MPs are debating the future of Scotland’s whisky industry: tariffs, trade deals, regulation and what support producers should get. Our briefing argues that support should be aimed at pubs and smaller producers, and that alcohol duty should reflect where harm comes from.

heraldscotland.comScots call for booze tax hikes after post pandemic alcohol death toll spikeScotland's alcohol-specific deaths remain 16 above pre-pandemic levels as SHAAP calls for higher alcohol duty and tougher action on alcohol harm.
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

"The SWA has exerted influence on policy greater than its size." New IAS blog from Dr Julie Bower and Prof David Higgins explores how the Scotch Whisky Association became an influential lobbying force in policymaking across the UK, Europe and the US. 🔗: www.ias.org.uk/2026/10/20/t...

ias.org.ukThe Scotch Whisky Association: a century of alcohol industry influence - Institute of Alcohol StudiesHow did the SWA grow its lobbying function and assume the prominence it sees today?
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

"The government needs to look at the low cost of alcohol in supermarkets primarily. Certainly the taxation in supermarkets needs to be looked at to bring about some kind of equilibrium." This from former pub landlord Patrick Hughes in BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.ukLandlord quits blaming supermarket booze and changing habitsLincolnshire has lost 27% of its pubs and bars since 2009 and some are calling on the government to act against cheap supermarket booze.
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

In 'Behind the bar', IAS & @balancene.bsky.social found 62% of publicans say supermarket alcohol is too cheap; 60% want the price gap closed. Just one way in which policies best for pubs and public health align - with the cheapest alcohol causing most harm. Report: www.ias.org.uk/report/behin...

ias.org.ukBehind the bar: what publicans really think about alcohol policy - Institute of Alcohol StudiesAlcohol harm reached record highs after the pandemic, but at the same time pubs across the country have been struggling. This paradox raises an important question: what is driving harm to both health…
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

A welcome whole-system approach in Liverpool City Council's new Alcohol Strategy: alongside prevention, treatment and community safety, it commits to strengthening recovery services and tackling the wider factors that drive harm. 🔗Liverpool City Council blog: liverpoolexpress.co.uk/blog-alcohol...

liverpoolexpress.co.ukBLOG: Alcohol harm is not inevitable. But building on progress means acting together - Liverpool ExpressAs Liverpool launches its new Alcohol Strategy, Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, explores how the city can
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

Alongside a commitment to national-level policy advocacy for: • Mandatory health warning & nutrition labels • A minimum unit price for alcohol in England • Alcohol duty to keep pace with inflation • Restrictions on alcohol marketing • Public health to become a statutory licensing objective

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

Tobacco Control Research Group
@tcrgbath.bsky.social

What kinds of evidence can help drive #PublicHealth policy change? In a new #blog for @ias.org.uk, Dr Alice Fabbri, @brittakm.bsky.social and @profkatsmith.bsky.social explore the #EvidenceJigsaw.

ias.org.ukCompleting the evidence jigsaw: how evidence can drive regulation of unhealthy commodities - Institute of Alcohol StudiesHow can public health researchers and advocates ensure that their findings inform real-world policies?
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

“Participants felt successful examples of policy change to tackle unhealthy commodities have usually been supported by an ‘evidence jigsaw’.” Our latest blog explores what evidence helps turn public health proposals into policy. 🔗: www.ias.org.uk/2026/10/13/c...

ias.org.ukCompleting the evidence jigsaw: how evidence can drive regulation of unhealthy commodities - Institute of Alcohol StudiesHow can public health researchers and advocates ensure that their findings inform real-world policies?

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Participants Needed: Have your say on alcohol marketing and LGBTQ+ communities! We are recruiting LGBTQ+ participants to take part in a focus group exploring perceptions of alcohol marketing targeted at LGBTQ+ communities. The study will involve: [1/3]

Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

It was a pleasure to attend the New Thinking, New Directions conference at the University of Stirling this week. IAS chief executive Katherine Severi presented on our upcoming political manual for improving alcohol-related health in England. Watch this space to find out more!

Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

In the US, Mars has pulled Pop-Tarts BuzzBallz cocktails from shelves just a month after launch, after public health concerns over their appeal to children. The company said it "regrets the partnership" and won't link Pop-Tarts to alcohol brands again. 🔗: www.bloomberg.com/news/article... [1/2]

bloomberg.comPop-Tarts Ends BuzzBallz Partnership on Underage Drinking FearsMars Inc. is pulling its Pop-Tarts and BuzzBallz collaboration just a month into its rollout over concerns that the product could appeal to underage drinkers.
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

Alcohol brands again appealing to children while hiding behind thin 'nostalgia' claims. See also: www.independent.co.uk/life-style/b... Self-regulation catches products only after they've reached the market and influenced children. Prevention requires independent, statutory regulation.

independent.co.ukBuzzBalls and 99p shots: We’ve reached peak ‘kiddification’ of booze and smokingA new alcoholic drink has raised alarm bells thanks to its fun, bright packaging and pocket money-friendly price tag. It’s time we stopped giving ‘adult’ products the CBeebies treatment, writes Helen…
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Participants Needed: Have your say on alcohol marketing and LGBTQ+ communities! We are recruiting LGBTQ+ participants to take part in a focus group exploring perceptions of alcohol marketing targeted at LGBTQ+ communities. The study will involve: [1/3]

Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

🔹Approximately 2-hour in-person focus group. 🔹Sharing your perspectives in group activities and discussions. 🔹Receiving a voucher for your time. Before taking part, you'll be invited to a 10 min screening call. This requires a contact phone number and a brief conversation on eligibility. [2/3]

Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

“Citizens' juries do not just measure opinions. They allow us to see how views change when people have time to discuss, question and learn.” New blog: when citizens had time together to review evidence & debate, support for pricing measures rose from 52% to 82%. 🔗: www.ias.org.uk/2026/09/29/b...

ias.org.ukBeyond opinion polls: a citizens' jury’s verdict on alcohol policy - Institute of Alcohol StudiesCitizens’ juries in Yorkshire and Humber found strong support for action on alcohol harm, including restrictions on marketing, stronger pricing policies, and protecting health policy from industry…
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

🖊️ "Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease remain high. More concerning still, many of those dying had not been in hospital care in the year before their death." - Our latest blog, by eoguzman.bsky.social of oxpop.bsky.social 🔗 www.ias.org.uk/2026/09/22/a...

ias.org.ukAlcohol-related liver disease deaths remain high. Many die without recent inpatient care - Institute of Alcohol StudiesMore than 5,500 excess alcohol-related liver disease deaths have occurred in England since 2020, with many people dying without any hospital admission in their final year of life, raising concerns…

Institute of Alcohol Studies reposted

SARG - SCHARR
@sarg-scharr.bsky.social

SARG's @soc-researcher.bsky.social is joining @peterrice.bsky.social of @ias.org.uk to co-lead a session at the Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026 next week. Their session will examine young people’s changing relationship with alcohol and approaches to reducing alcohol-related harm. #PublicHealth

sarg-sheffield.ac.ukSARG and IAS partner to lead session at Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026 - Sheffield Addictions Research GroupDr Laura Fenton, Research Fellow at the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), and Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and President of Eurocare, will co-lead an intera...
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

Alongside land use, the natural resource & climate impact of alcohol is significant. It takes around 870l of water to produce 1l of wine. From the IAS blog: www.ias.org.uk/2025/01/14/a...

ias.org.ukAlcohol’s contribution to climate change - Institute of Alcohol StudiesDr Megan Cook and Professor Sarah MacLean explain how little information exists about alcohol and sustainability, why this is an important area, and why public health researchers are well-placed to…
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

“You’ve got this device that’s been designed to be habitually used, then inside that you’ve got platforms designed to be addictive, and within that you’ve got a third layer, harmful commodities.” - IAS's Jem Roberts on our latest film, in Alcohol Review 📺: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tIy...

youtube.comDigital Intoxication: Online Alcohol Marketing ExplainedYouTube video by Institute of Alcohol Studies
Alcohol Review@alcoholreview.bsky.social

New release: How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms; A critique of the “no safe level” message; Heavy alcohol consumption increases in Lithuania; Blackout drinking social media fad lives up to name; Digital ID rollout begins in England and Wales alcohol-review.com/arlive/new-r...

alcohol-review.comNew release: How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms; A critique of the “no safe level” message; Heavy alcohol consumption increases in Lithuania; Blackout drinking social media fad lives up to ...New release: How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms; A critique of the “no safe level” message; Heavy alcohol consumption increases in Lithuania; Blackout drinking social media fad lives up to ...
Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk

“When people are left out of the data, services are not designed for them.” 🖊️Dr Vera Buss, UCL & @behaviourresuk.bsky.social: people experiencing homelessness are often missing from datasets informing policy, despite high alcohol harm levels & barriers to support. www.ias.org.uk/2026/09/01/b...

ias.org.ukBeyond national statistics: understanding alcohol harm and recovery in homelessness - Institute of Alcohol StudiesPeople experiencing homelessness are no more likely to drink as the general population - but far more likely to experience severe alcohol harm, and far less likely to get support. Two new studies go…