Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 16h

Chris used to drink most days and binge on weekends. Since cutting back in 2020, he feels healthier, clearer, and proud of his choices. Alcohol can damage the liver, increase cancer risk & worsen anxiety. Let’s break stigma. #ReduceAlcoholHarm @ias.org.uk @aha-uk.bsky.social

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 20h

Excellent input from all partners to our recent Balance Crime & Regulation Forum. Thanks to @TheBMA for focus on how lives can be saved by reducing the drink driving limit, & to @CRUK_Policy for highlighting the online free-for-all of alcohol promotion targeting our children.

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

@aha-uk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk @adphuk.bsky.social

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

2/2 This is money which could pay for:
· 37,000 NHS nurses
· 37,000 police officers
· 35,000 teachers or 30,000 firefighters

Alcohol duty can not only ease the impact on health and emergency services but deliver real public benefit.

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

1/2 Freezes to alcohol duty have given away billions to alcohol corporations. For #Budget2025, new analysis shows Govt could generate £3.4 bn over the next 5 years by increasing duty on non-draught alcohol in line with inflation and reintroducing a 2% escalator above it.

1 1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

@adphuk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk @aha-uk.bsky.social

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

2/2 Concern these proposals will make it easier for alcohol to be sold in shops and convenience stores and add to late night pressures on emergency services and A&E – our response 🔽
tinyurl.com/wemr8msb

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 1d

1/2 First day back for Parliament.
Concern is mounting around proposals to relax licensing laws – a vital public protection mechanism which could weaken powers of local authorities and residents over alcohol licensing decision🔽

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 4d

@aha-uk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 4d

For #WorldMentalHealthDay2025 meet Evie:
“I finally recognised how alcohol was heightening my anxiety. Now I’m a better friend, a better partner and a better mum.”
Her story shows why supporting people to cut back or quit alcohol can transform lives. #ReduceAlcoholHarm

1 1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 5d

@adphuk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk @aha-uk.bsky.social

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 5d

Local authorities know their communities best. Rising alcohol deaths, liver disease & hospital admissions demand action. Protect residents’ voice in licensing & cut harm—alcohol also fuels smoking. #ReduceAlcoholHarm Read more: shorturl.at/yLKcb

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 5d

1/2 🚨 Fast track review of UK pub & hospitality licensing could impact communities, emergency services & the NHS. Alongside NE Directors of Public Health, we warn that loosening rules risks longer drinking hours, more anti-social behaviour & reduced local control.

1

Reposted by Balance North East

Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 5d

October is #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth

A new global study is calling for action to address the hidden harms of men’s alcohol use on women and children

scienmag.com/global-study...

Global Study Reveals Overlooked Harm Caused by Men’s Alcohol Consumption

A Global Call to Address the Hidden Harms of Men’s Alcohol Use on Women and Children A comprehensive global analysis spearheaded by La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research has unv

scienmag.com

1 1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 5d

2/ Alcohol causes seven types of cancer, including bowel, mouth and breast cancer. This month is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth – it is time people are given an important right to know. @ias.org.uk @aha-uk.bsky.social

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 5d

1/ 8/10 people in the NE see alcohol as a big problem. We’re supporting proposals nationally for mandatory health labelling.
Hear from people in the NE on why current alcohol labels are failing to provide basic health information. #ReduceAlcoholHarm 🔽

1 1 1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 6d

Alcohol deaths and premature mortality from liver disease have risen steadily. In the 1990s, young people were more prone to high-risk drinking – now this is more common among older adults.
A snapshot of Health Trends in England from the CMO assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d3ee...

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 7d

@aha-uk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 7d

2/2 Alcohol deaths and hospital admissions are at record levels. We have a chance to act nationally and save lives by reducing the affordability, availability & promotion of alcohol. Our Blueprint for National Action sets out clear, evidence-based steps🔽https://bit.ly/3TNh4er

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 7d

1/2 “I’m much less anxious.” Viki from Newcastle says cutting out alcohol has hugely boosted her mental and physical health. It's vital we continue to support people without the temptation of alcohol promotion everywhere. Read Viki's story here 🔽 reducemyrisk.tv/news/vikis-s...

Viki: Each evening I’d finish work and open the wine. - Reduce My Risk

reducemyrisk.tv

1 1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 8d

FASD is a condition caused by drinking during pregnancy which causes lifelong difficulties for children and families. This issue highlighted tonight on BBC Look North www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Covid drinking 'left more children with fetal alcohol condition'

A Newcastle consultant says about 900 affected babies are born in the region each year.

www.bbc.co.uk

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 8d

Covid saw an explosion in alcohol advertising and a rise in increasing and higher risk drinking. As well as more deaths and hospital admissions from alcohol, medics also now fear this means more children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Covid drinking 'left more children with fetal alcohol condition'

A Newcastle consultant says about 900 affected babies are born in the region each year.

www.bbc.co.uk

1 2

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 8d

The first of our new Balance ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions is tomorrow 12–1pm. We’ll explore the new Spin the Bottle report on alcohol industry tactics – cherry-picking evidence, greenwashing & lobbying against regulation. Hear from Emma Thompson, @shaapalcohol.bsky.social & @ias.org.uk, plus a Q&A

1

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 11d

@aha-uk.bsky.social @ias.org.uk @cancerresearchuk.org

Balance North East @balancene.bsky.social · 11d

2/2 Like Sheridan more women are pushing back on the “wine o’clock” culture we constantly see in advertising and online.
After her diagnosis, Sheridan looked into the link between alcohol and cancer - and made big changes to protect her health. Hear her story 🔽#BreastCancer

1