Institute of Alcohol Studies
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ias.org.uk
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/
...many drivers who believe they are safe to drive after drinking.”
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
...a fast-tracked report, excluded public health, and accepted most of its recommendations.

Two governments, one problem: regulatory capture.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Alcohol licensing rule recommendations rejected by Lyons
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has rejected a number of changes to the rules around alcohol licensing recommended by an independent report.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
...through effective pricing, marketing and availability policies, alongside markedly improved access to alcohol treatment and targeted mental health services. A comprehensive national alcohol strategy that addresses these issues head-on is urgently needed."
November 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
... There is only a commitment to "invest an additional £200,000 this year to trial new brief interventions to target the rise in cocaine and alcohol-related CVD deaths".

As Prof Sir Ian Gilmore states:

“We need bold, evidence-based action...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691c8a...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
...vaping policy to alcohol “partnerships” is so worrying. The core problem hasn’t changed: commercial interests & public health interests are fundamentally misaligned

If the aim is to reduce harm, the lesson is obvious: independent regulation works. Industry partnership doesn’t
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
...achieve was years of stalled progress while harms continued to rise.

Alcohol-related deaths went up. Hospital admissions went up. Economic costs grew. The Responsibility Deal didn’t protect people - it protected the industry from effective regulation.

This is why comparing..
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
– Voluntary pledges instead of regulation
– Watered-down commitments
– Delays to evidence-based interventions
– Industry influence over government priorities

Independent evaluations found the Responsibility Deal delivered no public health benefit. What it did...
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
But we’ve been here before. And the alcohol example is not a success - it’s a warning.

As Health Secretary, it was Lansley himself who championed the Public Health Responsibility Deal, which handed alcohol producers and retailers a central role in shaping policy.

The result?
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
...but its foundation. Such an approach requires working with, not disempowering, local communities and strengthening, not eroding, mechanisms of democratic oversight and public protection."

@maizie333.bsky.social @spidermaani.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM