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/
Website: https://www.ias.org.uk/
Newsletter & Podcast: https://instalcstud.substack.com/
Northern Ireland's Health Committee chair has written to the Executive in support of introducing minimum unit pricing.
He said: "we heard compelling evidence about the clear public‑health benefits with MUP".
sinnfein.ie/news/minimum...
He said: "we heard compelling evidence about the clear public‑health benefits with MUP".
sinnfein.ie/news/minimum...
Minimum unit alcohol pricing would help to save lives and reduce harm - McGuigan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has welcomed the Health Committee’s agreement to write to the Executive in support of the Health Minister’s legislation on Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol. This fo...
sinnfein.ie
February 2, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Northern Ireland's Health Committee chair has written to the Executive in support of introducing minimum unit pricing.
He said: "we heard compelling evidence about the clear public‑health benefits with MUP".
sinnfein.ie/news/minimum...
He said: "we heard compelling evidence about the clear public‑health benefits with MUP".
sinnfein.ie/news/minimum...
The government promised a “prevention revolution”.
Our new FOI study shows how one of the most effective alcohol prevention policies - marketing restrictions - was dropped after coordinated industry lobbying.
📘 Read the study:
Our new FOI study shows how one of the most effective alcohol prevention policies - marketing restrictions - was dropped after coordinated industry lobbying.
📘 Read the study:
Now you see it, now you don’t - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Now you see it, now you don’t: How alcohol industry interference made marketing restrictions disappear from the 10 Year Health Plan in England In July 2025, the UK Government published its 10 Year…
www.ias.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:09 AM
The government promised a “prevention revolution”.
Our new FOI study shows how one of the most effective alcohol prevention policies - marketing restrictions - was dropped after coordinated industry lobbying.
📘 Read the study:
Our new FOI study shows how one of the most effective alcohol prevention policies - marketing restrictions - was dropped after coordinated industry lobbying.
📘 Read the study:
"At a time of shocking levels of alcohol harm, it is deeply troubling that the alcohol industry was able to exert this kind of influence on a flagship NHS policy."
Labour MP @catsmithmp.bsky.social calls for "robust" conflict of interest policies in government to...
labourlist.org/2026/02/alco...
Labour MP @catsmithmp.bsky.social calls for "robust" conflict of interest policies in government to...
labourlist.org/2026/02/alco...
'Alcohol harm is a public health crisis — and industry lobbying is blocking action' - LabourList
Alcohol deaths remain high and harm costs billions, yet industry lobbying helped strip marketing restrictions from England’s 10 Year Health Plan. We need better conflict of interest guidance argues Ca...
labourlist.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:49 AM
"At a time of shocking levels of alcohol harm, it is deeply troubling that the alcohol industry was able to exert this kind of influence on a flagship NHS policy."
Labour MP @catsmithmp.bsky.social calls for "robust" conflict of interest policies in government to...
labourlist.org/2026/02/alco...
Labour MP @catsmithmp.bsky.social calls for "robust" conflict of interest policies in government to...
labourlist.org/2026/02/alco...
France, Ireland and Norway restrict alcohol marketing. WHO calls it a ‘best buy’ for public health.
So why did England drop the policy?
In our latest blog, Emma Thompson shows how FOI evidence points to alcohol industry interference.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/02/e...
So why did England drop the policy?
In our latest blog, Emma Thompson shows how FOI evidence points to alcohol industry interference.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/02/e...
“Ensure these restrictions are not enforced”: FOI documents reveal alcohol industry lobbying - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Freedom of Information documents reveal how alcohol companies lobbied ministers across Whitehall to force the removal of marketing restrictions from England’s 10 Year NHS Health Plan.
www.ias.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:20 AM
France, Ireland and Norway restrict alcohol marketing. WHO calls it a ‘best buy’ for public health.
So why did England drop the policy?
In our latest blog, Emma Thompson shows how FOI evidence points to alcohol industry interference.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/02/e...
So why did England drop the policy?
In our latest blog, Emma Thompson shows how FOI evidence points to alcohol industry interference.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/02/e...
"If you've been caught drink driving, you should be losing your licence. If you've done it repeatedly, you're just lucky that you've not killed somebody."
🎙️On this month's podcast we spoke to
@brakecharity.bsky.social's
@lstraker.bsky.social about the Road Safety Strategy.
🎙️On this month's podcast we spoke to
@brakecharity.bsky.social's
@lstraker.bsky.social about the Road Safety Strategy.
January 30, 2026 at 3:02 PM
"If you've been caught drink driving, you should be losing your licence. If you've done it repeatedly, you're just lucky that you've not killed somebody."
🎙️On this month's podcast we spoke to
@brakecharity.bsky.social's
@lstraker.bsky.social about the Road Safety Strategy.
🎙️On this month's podcast we spoke to
@brakecharity.bsky.social's
@lstraker.bsky.social about the Road Safety Strategy.
In our new FOI study we found that Budweiser directly urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene and "ensure" that DHSC removed alcohol marketing restrictions from the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Health policy should be protected from industry influence.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Health policy should be protected from industry influence.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
January 29, 2026 at 12:04 PM
In our new FOI study we found that Budweiser directly urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene and "ensure" that DHSC removed alcohol marketing restrictions from the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Health policy should be protected from industry influence.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Health policy should be protected from industry influence.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
📢 New report
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Now you see it, now you don’t - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Now you see it, now you don’t: How alcohol industry interference made marketing restrictions disappear from the 10 Year Health Plan in England In July 2025, the UK Government published its 10 Year Hea...
www.ias.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:33 AM
📢 New report
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
New survey shows more men are abstaining from alcohol but older groups are much more likely to drink risky amounts.
IAS's Jem Roberts said the survey shouldn't distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England.
"Millions of people are still drinking...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
IAS's Jem Roberts said the survey shouldn't distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England.
"Millions of people are still drinking...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Growing number of adults avoid booze, NHS survey suggests
Almost a quarter of adults in England do not drink alcohol, according to new figures from a health survey.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 3:32 PM
New survey shows more men are abstaining from alcohol but older groups are much more likely to drink risky amounts.
IAS's Jem Roberts said the survey shouldn't distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England.
"Millions of people are still drinking...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
IAS's Jem Roberts said the survey shouldn't distract from the scale of alcohol harm in England.
"Millions of people are still drinking...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Our vision is for a society where alcohol harm is rare and equal opportunities for good health and wellbeing exist for all."
This is the consensus vision of over 40 alcohol policy experts.
2026 is all about pushing for policies that will achieve this.
This is the consensus vision of over 40 alcohol policy experts.
2026 is all about pushing for policies that will achieve this.
A Healthier Future: A long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Alcohol harm is a serious and growing concern in the UK, impacting people’s health and wellbeing, the NHS, social services, criminal justice, and our economy. These impacts are felt most by people on…
www.ias.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 AM
"Our vision is for a society where alcohol harm is rare and equal opportunities for good health and wellbeing exist for all."
This is the consensus vision of over 40 alcohol policy experts.
2026 is all about pushing for policies that will achieve this.
This is the consensus vision of over 40 alcohol policy experts.
2026 is all about pushing for policies that will achieve this.
The drinks industry is already pushing to water down government plans to improve labelling.
As Dr Katherine Severi states, people have a right to know what they are drinking and the health risks:
“Public awareness of risks like cancer remains low...
www.ft.com/content/eb76...
As Dr Katherine Severi states, people have a right to know what they are drinking and the health risks:
“Public awareness of risks like cancer remains low...
www.ft.com/content/eb76...
Alcohol health warning plan sparks drinks industry outcry
Executives are worried about prospect of explicit labelling showing cancer and other health risks
www.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The drinks industry is already pushing to water down government plans to improve labelling.
As Dr Katherine Severi states, people have a right to know what they are drinking and the health risks:
“Public awareness of risks like cancer remains low...
www.ft.com/content/eb76...
As Dr Katherine Severi states, people have a right to know what they are drinking and the health risks:
“Public awareness of risks like cancer remains low...
www.ft.com/content/eb76...
Alcohol causes cancer - yet most people don’t know it.
In our latest blog, Professor Simone Pettigrew sets out the evidence and explains why clear cancer warnings on alcohol are a simple, effective way to save lives.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/27/w... @georgeinstitute.bsky.social
In our latest blog, Professor Simone Pettigrew sets out the evidence and explains why clear cancer warnings on alcohol are a simple, effective way to save lives.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/27/w... @georgeinstitute.bsky.social
Why we should have cancer warnings on alcohol - Institute of Alcohol Studies
With the UK Government planning on introducing health warnings on alcohol labels, Professor Simone Pettigrew looks at the evidence around informing people of the link between alcohol and cancer on-lab...
www.ias.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Alcohol causes cancer - yet most people don’t know it.
In our latest blog, Professor Simone Pettigrew sets out the evidence and explains why clear cancer warnings on alcohol are a simple, effective way to save lives.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/27/w... @georgeinstitute.bsky.social
In our latest blog, Professor Simone Pettigrew sets out the evidence and explains why clear cancer warnings on alcohol are a simple, effective way to save lives.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/27/w... @georgeinstitute.bsky.social
Repeated alcohol duty freezes and cuts come at a huge cost.
Since 2013, they’ve cost the Treasury £31.2 billion - money that could have been spent on public services, including health.
New analysis from IAS 👇
www.ias.org.uk/report/autum...
Since 2013, they’ve cost the Treasury £31.2 billion - money that could have been spent on public services, including health.
New analysis from IAS 👇
www.ias.org.uk/report/autum...
Autumn Budget Analysis 2025 - Institute of Alcohol Studies
In the Autumn Budget 2025 there were three key announcements: After the increase, alcohol duty will still be much lower than it was in 2012/13. In real terms: Alcohol trade bodies responded with predi...
www.ias.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Repeated alcohol duty freezes and cuts come at a huge cost.
Since 2013, they’ve cost the Treasury £31.2 billion - money that could have been spent on public services, including health.
New analysis from IAS 👇
www.ias.org.uk/report/autum...
Since 2013, they’ve cost the Treasury £31.2 billion - money that could have been spent on public services, including health.
New analysis from IAS 👇
www.ias.org.uk/report/autum...
Has England’s drinking returned to “normal” after COVID?
In our latest blog, Dr Vera Buss explains how alcohol dependence and harm remain elevated - especially among more disadvantaged groups.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/h...
In our latest blog, Dr Vera Buss explains how alcohol dependence and harm remain elevated - especially among more disadvantaged groups.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/h...
Has England’s drinking returned to “normal”? - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Nearly five years on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, England’s drinking patterns are only partly returning to pre-pandemic levels. New research shows that while average consumption is falling...
www.ias.org.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Has England’s drinking returned to “normal” after COVID?
In our latest blog, Dr Vera Buss explains how alcohol dependence and harm remain elevated - especially among more disadvantaged groups.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/h...
In our latest blog, Dr Vera Buss explains how alcohol dependence and harm remain elevated - especially among more disadvantaged groups.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/h...
What are the main barriers to alcohol recovery?
One expert told us that: "The fundamentals really matter, where people live, what opportunities they have, it shapes whether recovery is even possible, and if you get that wrong it can undo a lot of good work."
One expert told us that: "The fundamentals really matter, where people live, what opportunities they have, it shapes whether recovery is even possible, and if you get that wrong it can undo a lot of good work."
Barriers to Recovery: Overcoming obstacles to alcohol recovery in the UK - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Alcohol-related harm continues to escalate in the United Kingdom (UK), with 2023 marking the highest number of alcohol-specific deaths recorded in England, and only 22% of those in need accessing…
www.ias.org.uk
January 19, 2026 at 12:26 PM
What are the main barriers to alcohol recovery?
One expert told us that: "The fundamentals really matter, where people live, what opportunities they have, it shapes whether recovery is even possible, and if you get that wrong it can undo a lot of good work."
One expert told us that: "The fundamentals really matter, where people live, what opportunities they have, it shapes whether recovery is even possible, and if you get that wrong it can undo a lot of good work."
Every medical school in the UK would benefit from embedding the Conversation Café model in their curriculum.
Bringing people in recovery together with medical students transforms understanding of addiction, challenges stigma, and builds truly person-centred practice
Bringing people in recovery together with medical students transforms understanding of addiction, challenges stigma, and builds truly person-centred practice
Humanising Healthcare Conversation Cafe
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Every medical school in the UK would benefit from embedding the Conversation Café model in their curriculum.
Bringing people in recovery together with medical students transforms understanding of addiction, challenges stigma, and builds truly person-centred practice
Bringing people in recovery together with medical students transforms understanding of addiction, challenges stigma, and builds truly person-centred practice
Better sleep, boosted energy, fuller wallet?
Whatever motivates you to cut alcohol this #DryJanuary, the free Try Dry® app helps you stay committed through January & beyond: bit.ly/43HzUIE
Whatever motivates you to cut alcohol this #DryJanuary, the free Try Dry® app helps you stay committed through January & beyond: bit.ly/43HzUIE
January 14, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Better sleep, boosted energy, fuller wallet?
Whatever motivates you to cut alcohol this #DryJanuary, the free Try Dry® app helps you stay committed through January & beyond: bit.ly/43HzUIE
Whatever motivates you to cut alcohol this #DryJanuary, the free Try Dry® app helps you stay committed through January & beyond: bit.ly/43HzUIE
This is such an important point made by Labour's @lucyrigby.bsky.social MP, and was ignored for many years when previous government's froze alcohol duty.
Freezing alcohol duty helps supermarkets maintain much lower prices on alcohol than pubs.
@dantomlinson.bsky.social
Freezing alcohol duty helps supermarkets maintain much lower prices on alcohol than pubs.
@dantomlinson.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:04 AM
This is such an important point made by Labour's @lucyrigby.bsky.social MP, and was ignored for many years when previous government's froze alcohol duty.
Freezing alcohol duty helps supermarkets maintain much lower prices on alcohol than pubs.
@dantomlinson.bsky.social
Freezing alcohol duty helps supermarkets maintain much lower prices on alcohol than pubs.
@dantomlinson.bsky.social
"It’s not our culture to have billboards covered in glamourised alcohol products. It's not our culture to have bright pink alcohol that's 9% alcohol and appealing to young people."
Dr @maizie333.bsky.social joins Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken on 'What's Up Docs?'
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Dr @maizie333.bsky.social joins Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken on 'What's Up Docs?'
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
What's Up Docs? - Doctors' Notes: Alcohol - BBC Sounds
Chris and Xand look at how the alcohol industry may have shaped our drinking culture.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:44 AM
"It’s not our culture to have billboards covered in glamourised alcohol products. It's not our culture to have bright pink alcohol that's 9% alcohol and appealing to young people."
Dr @maizie333.bsky.social joins Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken on 'What's Up Docs?'
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Dr @maizie333.bsky.social joins Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken on 'What's Up Docs?'
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The number of people employed in pubs and bars has increased in recent years, despite pubs declining in number.
What has changed is the size of pubs, with smaller premises closing and bigger premises opening, which employ more people.
See here for more : www.ias.org.uk/factsheet/av...
What has changed is the size of pubs, with smaller premises closing and bigger premises opening, which employ more people.
See here for more : www.ias.org.uk/factsheet/av...
January 13, 2026 at 12:20 PM
The number of people employed in pubs and bars has increased in recent years, despite pubs declining in number.
What has changed is the size of pubs, with smaller premises closing and bigger premises opening, which employ more people.
See here for more : www.ias.org.uk/factsheet/av...
What has changed is the size of pubs, with smaller premises closing and bigger premises opening, which employ more people.
See here for more : www.ias.org.uk/factsheet/av...
It’s intuitively obvious that ads for zero-alcohol products that share a parent brand (e.g. Guinness 0, Heineken 0.0) are also ads for the alcoholic brand.
Now we have clear evidence that teenagers see it that way too.
New study on zero alcohol marketing 👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Now we have clear evidence that teenagers see it that way too.
New study on zero alcohol marketing 👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“I just saw the alcohol brand, I never really thought of the zeros”: Young people’s views of NoLo and alibi alcohol sponsorship
Alcohol companies frequently use sports sponsorship to maintain high visibility, even in jurisdictions with advertising restrictions. Strategies such …
www.sciencedirect.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:25 AM
It’s intuitively obvious that ads for zero-alcohol products that share a parent brand (e.g. Guinness 0, Heineken 0.0) are also ads for the alcoholic brand.
Now we have clear evidence that teenagers see it that way too.
New study on zero alcohol marketing 👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Now we have clear evidence that teenagers see it that way too.
New study on zero alcohol marketing 👇
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"Claims that lowering the drink-drive limit will “kill pubs” ignore the evidence.
"Evidence shows that pubs can thrive with a lower limit, especially when policymakers address genuine economic pressures on the sector"
- Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, @aha-uk.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026...
"Evidence shows that pubs can thrive with a lower limit, especially when policymakers address genuine economic pressures on the sector"
- Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, @aha-uk.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026...
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
"Claims that lowering the drink-drive limit will “kill pubs” ignore the evidence.
"Evidence shows that pubs can thrive with a lower limit, especially when policymakers address genuine economic pressures on the sector"
- Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, @aha-uk.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026...
"Evidence shows that pubs can thrive with a lower limit, especially when policymakers address genuine economic pressures on the sector"
- Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, @aha-uk.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026...
Temperance is often treated as a footnote, but in Victorian Britain it was a mass movement.
Millions pledged abstinence and reshaped London with alcohol-free spaces - a hidden history still standing today.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Millions pledged abstinence and reshaped London with alcohol-free spaces - a hidden history still standing today.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How did mass teetotalism change Victorian London?
Buildings like the Old Vic theatre were important places for the Temperance movement in the 1800s.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Temperance is often treated as a footnote, but in Victorian Britain it was a mass movement.
Millions pledged abstinence and reshaped London with alcohol-free spaces - a hidden history still standing today.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Millions pledged abstinence and reshaped London with alcohol-free spaces - a hidden history still standing today.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sleep, think, and feel better this #DryJanuary with Try Dry - Alcohol Change UK’s free app that helps you track your time off drinking alcohol: bit.ly/43HzUIE
January 10, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Sleep, think, and feel better this #DryJanuary with Try Dry - Alcohol Change UK’s free app that helps you track your time off drinking alcohol: bit.ly/43HzUIE
"There's a very poor understanding of the current drink driving limit... But it's unacceptably high in terms of risk" with drivers 6 times more likely to die in a crash at the current limit.
Listen to Dr Katherine Severi on @bbc5live.bsky.social, from 02:19:30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Listen to Dr Katherine Severi on @bbc5live.bsky.social, from 02:19:30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
5 Live Drive - 07/01/2026 - BBC Sounds
A round-up of the day's top news and sport with Chris Warburton and Lisa McCormick.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:06 PM
"There's a very poor understanding of the current drink driving limit... But it's unacceptably high in terms of risk" with drivers 6 times more likely to die in a crash at the current limit.
Listen to Dr Katherine Severi on @bbc5live.bsky.social, from 02:19:30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Listen to Dr Katherine Severi on @bbc5live.bsky.social, from 02:19:30.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The new US Dietary Guidelines have removed the advice to limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 for women or less.
It simply says "Consume less alcohol for better overall health" and advises certain groups to avoid altogether.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
It simply says "Consume less alcohol for better overall health" and advises certain groups to avoid altogether.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Trump administration ditches advice to limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks per day
President Donald Trump's administration released new nutrition guidelines on Wednesday that abandon long-standing U.S. recommendations that Americans restrict alcohol consumption to two beverages a da...
www.reuters.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The new US Dietary Guidelines have removed the advice to limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 for women or less.
It simply says "Consume less alcohol for better overall health" and advises certain groups to avoid altogether.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
It simply says "Consume less alcohol for better overall health" and advises certain groups to avoid altogether.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...