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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 1h

“We often think of alcohol harm as a public health issue, but this research shows it’s a national economic problem."

A new report from @ippr.org reveals the economic costs of alcohol harm, with 1 in 3 UK workers calling in sick after work drinks.

Read more:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

One in three UK workers have called in sick after work drinks, survey finds

IPPR report warns of ‘productivity crisis’ and says many firms out of step with gen Z shift away from alcohol

www.theguardian.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 1d

How do big businesses undermine important public health policies?

Sign up to attend the online launch of @aha-uk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social and @ash.org new report and hear how industry lobbying continues to delay and weaken health policy.

events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f998f9...

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

events.teams.microsoft.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 4d

Our latest podcast features Dr Katherine Severi and Karen Biggs from @phoenixfutures.bsky.social

We discussed a long-term vision for alcohol harm, minimum unit pricing and marketing, the postcode lottery in treatment and the influence of the alcohol industry.

www.ias.org.uk/podcast/deve...

Developing a roadmap for tackling alcohol harm in the UK - Institute of Alcohol Studies

On this month’s podcast we spoke to Dr Katherine Severi, IAS’s Chief Executive, and Karen Biggs, Chief Executive of treatment provider Phoenix Futures, about IAS’s forthcoming report: A healthier futu...

www.ias.org.uk

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 5d

Alcohol marketing is pervasive and persuasive, driving alcohol-related harm including among children and young people.

In our latest blog, Dr Peter Rice explains why regulations are needed:

www.ias.org.uk/2025/10/02/a...

Making the case for regulating alcohol marketing in Scotland: A recent review of the evidence and next steps - Institute of Alcohol Studies

Dr Peter Rice summarises the recent Public Health Scotland review of alcohol marketing, and what should be done about it.

www.ias.org.uk

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Reposted by Institute of Alcohol Studies

Commercial Determinants Research Group @cdoh-rg.bsky.social · 12d

Corporate profit is being prioritised over public health. Discover how corporate power is driving public health crises in the upcoming documentary, Unmasking Influence. #CDOH #CorporatePower @maizie333.bsky.social

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 9d

"Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol is not good for the heart."

This #WorldHeartDay, check out the World Heart Federation's myth-busting policy briefing on alcohol and the heart.

world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/u...

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 9d

This #WorldHeartDay learn about the hidden impact of alcohol on your heart🫀

Our short film explains the risks and why they matter for your health.

Watch here:

Alcohol and the Heart: Explained

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer across the globe, causing 20 million deaths every year. And drinking alcohol directly contributes to cardiovascular disease. Yet for many years, the idea…

www.youtube.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 15d

"The Scottish experience shows that harm from alcohol can be reduced by a well planned alcohol strategy, but actions must be sustained and developed."

Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the IAS, responds to the 7% fall in alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland:

www.ias.org.uk/news/alcohol...

Alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland decrease by 7% - Institute of Alcohol Studies

Addiction psychiatrist and IAS Chair Dr Peter Rice responds to fall in alcohol deaths in Scotland.

www.ias.org.uk

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 15d

Sober months like Dry January have become increasingly popular in recent years, but do they actually change how we drink?

In this blog, @aishamoolla.bsky.social outlines the findings from recent @sarg-scharr.bsky.social research on the short and long-term impacts.

www.ias.org.uk/2025/09/23/d...

Does Dry January change how we drink? - Institute of Alcohol Studies

A new study finds that Dry January does show up in national alcohol sales data – people drink less and buy more no/lo options during the month. But most return to old habits by February, raising quest...

www.ias.org.uk

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 16d

"Contrary to some claims that marketing is about market share rather than increasing consumption, the evidence base, comprising 26 studies, suggests that there is a relationship between marketing and consumption"

- Public Health Scot's alc marketing review

publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 17d

Today is World Alzheimer's Day.

Did you know that alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing dementia?

Watch our film on how alcohol can harm the brain:

Alcohol and the Brain: Explained

Alcohol very easily finds its way into the brain, and when there, has a profound effect on many of the brain’s structures and functions. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, meaning it is poisonous to neurons,…

www.youtube.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 19d

The delay to Ireland's health warning labels will mean real people are diagnosed with real cancers while not being given the right information on labels.

We discussed this in our recent podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond🎙️

Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-... @alcoholireland.ie

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 20d

effective way of targeting the most harmful drinking. Yet Chamberlain calls their tax burden “unfair.” In reality, duty is one of the few levers government has to protect health

Meanwhile, the UK spirits market is valued at £16.8 billion a year, hardly "in a precarious position" as Chamberlain says

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 20d

...this toll is to raise duty above inflation – as the last Labour government did with the duty escalator, the only time in 25 years when alcohol death rates consistently fell.

Spirits are often favoured by heavier drinkers, so - as the IFS has called for - a higher rate on spirits is an...

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 20d

Lib Dem MP and Scotch Whisky APPG chair @wendychambld.bsky.social is calling for a multi-year freeze on spirits duty.

But this couldn’t come at a worse time: the UK has seen record alcohol deaths for four years in a row. The most effective way to reduce...(🧵)

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Rachel Reeves must start treating Scotch Whisky like the national asset it is

The whisky industry is getting fleeced by a deeply unfair alcohol duty system – the Chancellor must give Scotch parity with beer

www.politicshome.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 21d

..consumers through alcohol labels"

Prominent health warnings on alcohol are needed - including cancer warnings, calorie information & unit content - & these must be set by health authorities, not industry bodies like the Portman Group whose self-regulation aims to protect producers’ interests

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 21d

Labour MP Clive Betts asks if UK alcohol labelling regulations will include warnings about alcohol and cancer.

@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social responds that: "at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to...🧵

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 21d

Successive cuts and freezes to alcohol duty have cost the Treasury £28.6 billion since 2013.

That’s money that could have funded vital public services – instead, alcohol has become ever cheaper, and deaths have risen.

www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 22d

Alcohol outlets surged in Ontario after sales expanded into convenience stores.

👉 400% increase in low-income neighbourhoods vs 183% in wealthier ones.

This risks deepening existing health inequalities.

Increase in alcohol outlets by neighbourhood socioeconomic status following the expansion of alcohol sales into convenience stores in Ontario, Canada - Canadian Journal of Public Health

Introduction In September 2024, the province of Ontario expanded alcohol sales into convenience stores. It is important to examine differences in alcohol sales expansion by socioeconomic status (SES)…

link.springer.com

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 22d

“Discreditation. Complaints. Legal threats. Surveillance.”

Dr Karen Evans-Reeves and Dr Gemma Mitchell describe 6 ways the alcohol industry and front groups try to silence those protecting public health.

More in our latest blog: www.ias.org.uk/2025/09/16/a... @tcrgbath.bsky.social

Alcohol industry intimidation of researchers and advocates - Institute of Alcohol Studies

The alcohol industry, like tobacco before it, uses intimidation to discredit and deter researchers and advocates who challenge its practices. Our latest blog highlights the tactics used worldwide - an...

www.ias.org.uk

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 23d

Awareness that alcohol causes cancer is low even among breast cancer survivors.

🎙️Listen to our latest podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond where we discussed Ireland's labelling delays and the 10 Year Health Plan failures🎙️

Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-...

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 23d

The irony? Through its Made to be Measured campaign, the SWA markets Scotch as a premium, world-class product. But when lobbying for tax cuts, it points to the very cheapest – and most harmful – bottles to make its case.

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 23d

Only the very cheapest bottles come close to 75%. For most whiskies it’s far lower: on a £30 bottle, duty is 31% of the price; on a £50 bottle, just 18%.

Yet even Scotland’s Business Minister, @richardlochhead.bsky.social, has stated that there's “75% duty on every bottle” – this is simply wrong.

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 23d

Lots of misinformation in the media about how much whisky is taxed – pushed by the Scotch Whisky Association to lobby for tax cuts.

❌ Claim: “75% of a bottle of whisky is tax.”
✅ Reality: Duty is a fixed charge per litre of alcohol. All 70cl bottles at 40% pay £9.18 in duty (🧵)

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Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 23d

"Get tough on tobacco and alcohol firms to improve public health.

"Hazel Cheeseman, Prof Sir Ian Gilmore and Katharine Jenner call for minimum unit pricing, a levy on profits and policies to improve food and drink."

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Get tough on tobacco and alcohol firms to improve public health | Letters

Letters: Hazel Cheeseman, Prof Sir Ian Gilmore and Katharine Jenner call for minimum unit pricing, a levy on profits, and policies to improve food and drink. Plus a letter from Mary Foy

www.theguardian.com

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