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.
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/...
I had a wide-ranging chat with journalist David Hillier the other day about alcohol prices, deaths data and licensing reforms:
In the run-up to the Budget – and with booze in a weird place (high deaths, sober curiosity, £7 pints, pubs shutting) – I had a long chat with @victimofmaths.bsky.social about the true cost of alcohol: to drinkers, and everyone else.
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
Britain bleeds cheap Booze
As the Budget looms, here's the true cost of our drinking habit
whatareyouon.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I had a wide-ranging chat with journalist David Hillier the other day about alcohol prices, deaths data and licensing reforms:
A few thoughts on alcohol duty ahead of the budget (and an excuse to update some old graphs).
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
November 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
A few thoughts on alcohol duty ahead of the budget (and an excuse to update some old graphs).
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
Does anyone know what health data they are proposing to cut here, and whether it's the underlying data, or just the reports summarising some aspects of that which are under threat?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
ONS to cut reports on health and crime to improve quality of core data
UK’s statistics agency announces ‘recovery’ plan after concerns raised over reliability of its data
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Does anyone know what health data they are proposing to cut here, and whether it's the underlying data, or just the reports summarising some aspects of that which are under threat?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Really interesting opinion piece in @addictionjournal.bsky.social here from some of my colleagues looking at the potential benefits and risks/challenges of no/lo alcohol products for very heavy drinkers and those in recovery:
doi.org/10.1111/add....
doi.org/10.1111/add....
Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol‐free and low‐alcohol products in higher risk groups
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) are now widely available and popular with consumers in high-income countries; however, it is unclear whether clinicians and others working to preven...
doi.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Really interesting opinion piece in @addictionjournal.bsky.social here from some of my colleagues looking at the potential benefits and risks/challenges of no/lo alcohol products for very heavy drinkers and those in recovery:
doi.org/10.1111/add....
doi.org/10.1111/add....
Reposted by Colin Angus
Clinicians: Should patients at high risk of alcohol harm use no and low-alcohol drinks?
New research highlights the need for nuanced guidance beyond zero-tolerance, considering non-abstinence goals and harm reduction:
New research highlights the need for nuanced guidance beyond zero-tolerance, considering non-abstinence goals and harm reduction:
Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol‐free and low‐alcohol products in higher risk groups
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) are now widely available and popular with consumers in high-income countries; however, it is unclear whether clinicians and others working to…
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Clinicians: Should patients at high risk of alcohol harm use no and low-alcohol drinks?
New research highlights the need for nuanced guidance beyond zero-tolerance, considering non-abstinence goals and harm reduction:
New research highlights the need for nuanced guidance beyond zero-tolerance, considering non-abstinence goals and harm reduction:
Reposted by Colin Angus
The latest publication from our evaluation of the QUIT hospital-based tobacco dependence treatment service is now available. It investigates patient flows from hospital to community stop smoking services and subsequent quitting outcomes. Find out more about this work at quit.sites.sheffield.ac.uk
Smoking cessation after referral from hospital to community stop smoking services: an observational study
Introduction In England, acute National Health Service (NHS) hospitals routinely ask patients about smoking status on admission, offering in-hospital treatment for tobacco dependence and support for q...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The latest publication from our evaluation of the QUIT hospital-based tobacco dependence treatment service is now available. It investigates patient flows from hospital to community stop smoking services and subsequent quitting outcomes. Find out more about this work at quit.sites.sheffield.ac.uk
A nice primer here (ft. @sarg-scharr.bsky.social research) on no/lo alcohol prices and whether they really are more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Why are alcohol-free drinks so expensive? Some fake spirits cost over £25 a bottle!
In this new series, our money and consumer editor considers the often perplexing reasons items cost what they do. As a new report suggests booze-free booze can cost 25% more than the alcoholic equival...
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
A nice primer here (ft. @sarg-scharr.bsky.social research) on no/lo alcohol prices and whether they really are more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Colin Angus
A new @addictionjournal.bsky.social commentary warns of regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing
The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing policy: The 2025 ‘licensing taskforce’ report
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A new @addictionjournal.bsky.social commentary warns of regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing
The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Alcoholic drinks, along with fruit and fish, are the only food and drink category to have got cheaper, in real terms, since the start of the cost-of-living crisis.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
October 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Alcoholic drinks, along with fruit and fish, are the only food and drink category to have got cheaper, in real terms, since the start of the cost-of-living crisis.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Happy to see this commentary come out - some thoughts on the limited implementation of the alcohol floor price in the Northern Territory, and the impact of inflation on the $1.30 price point with no indexation.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Cost of Poor Policy Implementation and Maintenance: The Northern Territory's Alcohol Floor Price
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Happy to see this commentary come out - some thoughts on the limited implementation of the alcohol floor price in the Northern Territory, and the impact of inflation on the $1.30 price point with no indexation.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Colin Angus
Join the Faculty’s Alcohol SIG for an online webinar: Alcohol Licensing Under Threat.
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Alcohol Licensing Under Threat
Alcohol licensing under threat: the urgent need for public health responses to the UK Government's fast-track licensing consultation
www.fph.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Join the Faculty’s Alcohol SIG for an online webinar: Alcohol Licensing Under Threat.
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
New data shows that the rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England & Wales *fell* in 2024 by 7.8%, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
October 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New data shows that the rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England & Wales *fell* in 2024 by 7.8%, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
Interesting thoughts here on recent trends in young adult mortality in the US and Germany. The rise in alcohol deaths in both countries is something we've also seen across the UK.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
I wrote a commentary on a new study comparing US and German mortality trends among “early adults” (age 25-44).
The pre-pandemic trends were wildly different (US far worse), but there’s some sign of increased alcohol deaths persisting since the pandemic in both countries. Concerning stuff.
The pre-pandemic trends were wildly different (US far worse), but there’s some sign of increased alcohol deaths persisting since the pandemic in both countries. Concerning stuff.
Early Adult Mortality in a Cross-National Context
US mortality has long been considered exceptional. Since the mid-1980s, mortality in the US has been higher than in other wealthy nations, and over the last 15 years, that disadvantage has grown.1,2 M...
jamanetwork.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Interesting thoughts here on recent trends in young adult mortality in the US and Germany. The rise in alcohol deaths in both countries is something we've also seen across the UK.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Want to know how to use MAIHDA to examine heterogeniety in policy outcomes? Here's a nice worked-through example!
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
October 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Want to know how to use MAIHDA to examine heterogeniety in policy outcomes? Here's a nice worked-through example!
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
I was looking at some Scottish cause of death data yesterday and the extent to which transport accident deaths in young men have all but disappeared is pretty remarkable.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
October 16, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I was looking at some Scottish cause of death data yesterday and the extent to which transport accident deaths in young men have all but disappeared is pretty remarkable.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Reposted by Colin Angus
I spoke to @samuelacuff.bsky.social and @noahemery.bsky.social on their Addiction Psychologist podcast about the evidence on minimum unit pricing for alcohol. You can listen below: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
The Addiction Psychologist • A podcast on Spotify for Creators
Drs. Noah Emery and Samuel Acuff interview researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in the field of addiction psychology with the hopes of enhancing recovery. Official podcast of the Society for Addi...
creators.spotify.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I spoke to @samuelacuff.bsky.social and @noahemery.bsky.social on their Addiction Psychologist podcast about the evidence on minimum unit pricing for alcohol. You can listen below: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Reposted by Colin Angus
The latest paper from our @nihr.bsky.social funded No/Lo Project finds that around a third of people use alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks in attempts to cut down on drinking alcohol, but no clear evidence that they increase the success of these attempts. #AlcoholResearch #NoLo #AlcoholPolicy
The use of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in attempts to restrict alcohol consumption: findings from a cross-sectional survey
The sale and consumption of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) has increased substantially in many high-income countries, including Gr…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The latest paper from our @nihr.bsky.social funded No/Lo Project finds that around a third of people use alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks in attempts to cut down on drinking alcohol, but no clear evidence that they increase the success of these attempts. #AlcoholResearch #NoLo #AlcoholPolicy
Reposted by Colin Angus
Our new paper led by Inge Kersbergen finds no clear evidence that using alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks increases the success of attempts to cut down on drinking.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The use of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in attempts to restrict alcohol consumption: findings from a cross-sectional survey
The sale and consumption of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) has increased substantially in many high-income countries, including Gr…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Our new paper led by Inge Kersbergen finds no clear evidence that using alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks increases the success of attempts to cut down on drinking.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Not a bad morning round these parts.
October 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Not a bad morning round these parts.
My wife requested a Battenberg birthday cake, so it would have been rude not to oblige. Pretty happy with how this turned out.
October 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
My wife requested a Battenberg birthday cake, so it would have been rude not to oblige. Pretty happy with how this turned out.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Plans to rapidly overhaul alcohol licensing in England and Wales have just been published. They're being sold as ‘tearing up outdated licensing rules’, but could seriously undermine democratic accountability and local control. The devil (as ever) is in the details. www.gov.uk/government/n...
Cheers to Change: Red Tape Review Could Bring More Food, Music and Fun to Your Local
The Government is launching a fast-track review to tear up outdated licensing rules that have been holding back pubs, bars and local events and we want to hear from the people who know best: landlords...
www.gov.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Plans to rapidly overhaul alcohol licensing in England and Wales have just been published. They're being sold as ‘tearing up outdated licensing rules’, but could seriously undermine democratic accountability and local control. The devil (as ever) is in the details. www.gov.uk/government/n...