Colin Angus
@victimofmaths.bsky.social
Professor of Alcohol Policy in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (@SARG-SCHARR), graph drawer, data botherer, cake eater, incompetent cyclist and intermittent birder.
Turnover in the on-trade in the UK *rose* by 2.9% on a like-for-like basis (and 6.2% overall) in December 2025 compared to December 2024, with the biggest growth in pubs.
So much for the 'government policy on alcohol taxes is killing pubs' argument.
So much for the 'government policy on alcohol taxes is killing pubs' argument.
Latest NIQ stats for managed hospitality in December. Pubs performed well, bars and restaurants less so.
January 26, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Turnover in the on-trade in the UK *rose* by 2.9% on a like-for-like basis (and 6.2% overall) in December 2025 compared to December 2024, with the biggest growth in pubs.
So much for the 'government policy on alcohol taxes is killing pubs' argument.
So much for the 'government policy on alcohol taxes is killing pubs' argument.
Reposted by Colin Angus
🎉 We are delighted to announce that SARG’s @ppermanhowe.bsky.social has secured an NIHR Career Development Award to investigate the public health impact of mid-strength drinks. Read our news story to find out what her 12-month project will involve 👇 @fohsheffield.bsky.social @nihrsphr.bsky.social
SARG researcher Dr Parvati Perman-Howe secures NIHR Career Development Award - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
We are delighted to announce that Dr Parvati Perman-Howe, a Research Associate within the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), has secured a highly sought-after Career Development Award.
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
January 23, 2026 at 2:05 PM
🎉 We are delighted to announce that SARG’s @ppermanhowe.bsky.social has secured an NIHR Career Development Award to investigate the public health impact of mid-strength drinks. Read our news story to find out what her 12-month project will involve 👇 @fohsheffield.bsky.social @nihrsphr.bsky.social
Reposted by Colin Angus
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...
This is a really interesting new paper in IJDP looking at increases in drug overdose deaths in the US during the COVID pandemic and exploring how lump-sum payments designed to cushion the financial impact of the pandemic were associated with rises in overdoses
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Dynamics of drug overdose deaths in the United States during COVID-19
Drug overdose (OD) deaths in the United States have risen exponentially for four decades and surged further during the COVID 19 pandemic; the drivers …
www.sciencedirect.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:56 AM
This is a really interesting new paper in IJDP looking at increases in drug overdose deaths in the US during the COVID pandemic and exploring how lump-sum payments designed to cushion the financial impact of the pandemic were associated with rises in overdoses
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We've got another cool new modelling paper out today in @plosmedicine.org estimating the public health impacts of increasing the Minimum Unit Price for alcohol in Scotland to 65p and the alternative impacts of different decisions.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Public health impacts of increasing the minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland: A model-based appraisal
In this modeling paper, John Holmes and colleagues analyzed the effects on public health of changing the minimum unit price of alcohol in Scotland.
doi.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:26 PM
We've got another cool new modelling paper out today in @plosmedicine.org estimating the public health impacts of increasing the Minimum Unit Price for alcohol in Scotland to 65p and the alternative impacts of different decisions.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
I hadn't actually seen this headline - what a *wild* framing of the issue - drink driving is good actually, as long as you do it in the countryside.
Call me old-fashioned, but following evidence-based policy on reducing alcohol limits to reduce "killing off" pedestrians and other road users seems pretty sensible.
It's not actually obligatory to drink booze in a pub, plenty of modern non-alcoholic options.
Also let's improve walking routes!
It's not actually obligatory to drink booze in a pub, plenty of modern non-alcoholic options.
Also let's improve walking routes!
January 7, 2026 at 4:16 PM
I hadn't actually seen this headline - what a *wild* framing of the issue - drink driving is good actually, as long as you do it in the countryside.
This seems very sensible to me, and strikingly contains absolutely nothing about alcohol duties, in spite of the alcohol industry constantly pretending that increases (or even real-terms freezes) to alcohol duty harm pubs.
www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...
www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...
OPINION: A simple question for ministers - what is the plan for Britain’s pubs?
Britain’s pubs are vital for jobs, communities and culture — yet rising costs and policy pressures threaten their survival. Should ministers have a clear plan to protect pubs, or accept their decline?...
www.morningadvertiser.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 12:18 PM
This seems very sensible to me, and strikingly contains absolutely nothing about alcohol duties, in spite of the alcohol industry constantly pretending that increases (or even real-terms freezes) to alcohol duty harm pubs.
www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...
www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026...
Great stuff here from @soozaphone.bsky.social about the flimsiness of arguments being trotted out today against lowering the drink drive limit in England & Wales
open.substack.com/pub/suzigage...
I might be one of the cynics complaining about enforcement though...
open.substack.com/pub/suzigage...
I might be one of the cynics complaining about enforcement though...
OF COURSE drink driving laws need to be updated in England and Wales
We are using antiquated regulations, and are out of step with much of the rest of the world
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Great stuff here from @soozaphone.bsky.social about the flimsiness of arguments being trotted out today against lowering the drink drive limit in England & Wales
open.substack.com/pub/suzigage...
I might be one of the cynics complaining about enforcement though...
open.substack.com/pub/suzigage...
I might be one of the cynics complaining about enforcement though...
New year, new modelling study. Out now in @bmjtobacco-control.bsky.social.
We modelled the impact of recent and potential future government policy around hand-rolled tobacco taxes, finding that narrowing the (substantial) price gap with standard tobacco improves public health & narrows inequalities
We modelled the impact of recent and potential future government policy around hand-rolled tobacco taxes, finding that narrowing the (substantial) price gap with standard tobacco improves public health & narrows inequalities
Reducing the exceptional affordability of hand-rolling tobacco using tax escalators: a health and economic impact modelling study for England
Background Hand-rolling tobacco (HRT) remains more affordable than factory-made (FM) cigarettes in the UK, which could undermine the health benefits of tobacco tax increases. This study modelled healt...
doi.org
January 7, 2026 at 10:26 AM
New year, new modelling study. Out now in @bmjtobacco-control.bsky.social.
We modelled the impact of recent and potential future government policy around hand-rolled tobacco taxes, finding that narrowing the (substantial) price gap with standard tobacco improves public health & narrows inequalities
We modelled the impact of recent and potential future government policy around hand-rolled tobacco taxes, finding that narrowing the (substantial) price gap with standard tobacco improves public health & narrows inequalities
Reposted by Colin Angus
Global Per Capita Wine, Beer, and Spirits Consumption, 1961-2022
January 4, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Global Per Capita Wine, Beer, and Spirits Consumption, 1961-2022
Just had my first encounter with Hong Kong milk tea. Incredible stuff. I might not sleep for a week.
December 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Just had my first encounter with Hong Kong milk tea. Incredible stuff. I might not sleep for a week.
We've done a handy summary of all the announcements related to alcohol, tobacco and gambling in the Autumn Budget and what they all mean for public health:
How did the #AutumnBudget2025 impact alcohol, tobacco, vaping and gambling? In this new blog post SARG experts @victimofmaths.bsky.social, @drduncgillespie.bsky.social and Ellen McGrane analyse the key policy decisions and their potential impacts on public health sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/blog/autumn-...
Autumn Budget 2025: Analysis of tax and policy changes across alcohol, tobacco and gambling - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
In this post, SARG experts analyse the impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on public health. They explore the effects of maintaining inflation-linked alcohol duties and licensing policy changes, new tax ...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
We've done a handy summary of all the announcements related to alcohol, tobacco and gambling in the Autumn Budget and what they all mean for public health:
New job opportunity:
Come and work with some of my fabulous colleagues developing and applying new models of the links between public health and the labour market to explore the impacts of health and workplace interventions.
Closing data 5th Jan:
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
Come and work with some of my fabulous colleagues developing and applying new models of the links between public health and the labour market to explore the impacts of health and workplace interventions.
Closing data 5th Jan:
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling
Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
New job opportunity:
Come and work with some of my fabulous colleagues developing and applying new models of the links between public health and the labour market to explore the impacts of health and workplace interventions.
Closing data 5th Jan:
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
Come and work with some of my fabulous colleagues developing and applying new models of the links between public health and the labour market to explore the impacts of health and workplace interventions.
Closing data 5th Jan:
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
This is great - a clear overview of key principles in data visualisation, written in a super-accessible and interest way, with great examples throughout.
Big new blogpost!
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more.
--> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
December 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
This is great - a clear overview of key principles in data visualisation, written in a super-accessible and interest way, with great examples throughout.
Stocking up on the finest of condiments.
December 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Stocking up on the finest of condiments.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Giving licensing officers enhanced powers would hollow out local democratic accountability in licensing decisions.
🎙️Listen to our podcast with Prof Niamh Fitzgerald & Dr James Nicholls🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/gove...
🎙️Listen to our podcast with Prof Niamh Fitzgerald & Dr James Nicholls🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/gove...
December 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Giving licensing officers enhanced powers would hollow out local democratic accountability in licensing decisions.
🎙️Listen to our podcast with Prof Niamh Fitzgerald & Dr James Nicholls🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/gove...
🎙️Listen to our podcast with Prof Niamh Fitzgerald & Dr James Nicholls🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/gove...
Had a really interesting visit yesterday to The Thistle, the UK's first safe drug consumption room. Fascinating to see all the thought that's gone into its design, including extensive involvement from people with lived and living experience to make the service as accessible as possible.
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Had a really interesting visit yesterday to The Thistle, the UK's first safe drug consumption room. Fascinating to see all the thought that's gone into its design, including extensive involvement from people with lived and living experience to make the service as accessible as possible.
Reposted by Colin Angus
📢 New on the SARG Blog! Ellen McGrane discusses an @nihr-pruaddictions.bsky.social project exploring how to integrate alcohol dependence into policy modelling. The team worked with policymakers and people with lived experience to develop a roadmap for more equitable models. #AlcoholPolicy
Advancing alcohol policy modelling by integrating alcohol dependence - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
Ellen McGrane shares details of a project led by the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Addictions, exploring how to integrate alcohol dependence into alcohol policy modelling. She explains how the team wor...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
📢 New on the SARG Blog! Ellen McGrane discusses an @nihr-pruaddictions.bsky.social project exploring how to integrate alcohol dependence into policy modelling. The team worked with policymakers and people with lived experience to develop a roadmap for more equitable models. #AlcoholPolicy
Reposted by Colin Angus
Has alcohol consumption in England returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels? A monthly population study, 2014 to 2024 buff.ly/OQC8Ii3 @melissaoldham.bsky.social @drsarahejackson.bsky.social @lionshahab.bsky.social @victimofmaths.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @jamiebrown.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Has alcohol consumption in England returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels? A monthly population study, 2014 to 2024 buff.ly/OQC8Ii3 @melissaoldham.bsky.social @drsarahejackson.bsky.social @lionshahab.bsky.social @victimofmaths.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @jamiebrown.bsky.social
OHID have just updated their Fingertips/Local Alcohol Profiles data with 2024 alcohol mortality figures.
fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/loca...
Good to see things heading in a positive direction for a change.
More details in my thread from a couple of months ago:
bsky.app/profile/vict...
fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/loca...
Good to see things heading in a positive direction for a change.
More details in my thread from a couple of months ago:
bsky.app/profile/vict...
December 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM
OHID have just updated their Fingertips/Local Alcohol Profiles data with 2024 alcohol mortality figures.
fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/loca...
Good to see things heading in a positive direction for a change.
More details in my thread from a couple of months ago:
bsky.app/profile/vict...
fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/loca...
Good to see things heading in a positive direction for a change.
More details in my thread from a couple of months ago:
bsky.app/profile/vict...
As a current Deputy Stats & Methods Editor for Addiction, I can vouch for this being a good way of finding out what cool and interesting stuff people are up to. These are also paid positions.
Also note that the call includes epidemiologists and health economists, not just statisticians.
Also note that the call includes epidemiologists and health economists, not just statisticians.
Addiction is currently seeking to expand its pool of Statistics & Methodology Editors - please see here for more details, including how to apply www.addictionjournal.org/newsroom/dep...
Addiction Journal - Deputy Statistics & Methodology Editor Role with Addiction
www.addictionjournal.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:58 AM
As a current Deputy Stats & Methods Editor for Addiction, I can vouch for this being a good way of finding out what cool and interesting stuff people are up to. These are also paid positions.
Also note that the call includes epidemiologists and health economists, not just statisticians.
Also note that the call includes epidemiologists and health economists, not just statisticians.
Reposted by Colin Angus
From now on, when discussing the budget, please use “is this measure bigger than the cost to the exchequer of gen Z drinking less” as your metric for assessing whether something actually raises or costs a significant sum
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
From now on, when discussing the budget, please use “is this measure bigger than the cost to the exchequer of gen Z drinking less” as your metric for assessing whether something actually raises or costs a significant sum
Come and join our lovely team in Sheffield:
✨ SARG Internship opportunity ✨ We're currently looking for a part-time Quantitative Research Intern to undertake a three-month research project mapping the type of advice that alcohol treatment and recovery services give to clients on the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks. Find out more 👇
Quantitative Research Intern (P/T) at University of Sheffield
An opportunity for an academic position as a Quantitative Research Intern (P/T) is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job openings.
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Come and join our lovely team in Sheffield:
Another new @addictionjournal.bsky.social paper out today looking at trends in alcohol consumption in England and trying to answer the important question as to whether this has returned to pre-pandemic levels after rising during the first lockdown.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Another new @addictionjournal.bsky.social paper out today looking at trends in alcohol consumption in England and trying to answer the important question as to whether this has returned to pre-pandemic levels after rising during the first lockdown.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
We've got a new paper out in @addictionjournal.bsky.social led by @drsarahejackson.bsky.social looking at trends in cost as a motivating factor for people looking to reduce their alcohol consumption.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
We've got a new paper out in @addictionjournal.bsky.social led by @drsarahejackson.bsky.social looking at trends in cost as a motivating factor for people looking to reduce their alcohol consumption.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...