Welcome
Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. More about us
Our vision
A future free from the widespread health and social harm caused by alcohol.
Our mission
To deliver effective and cost-effective action to reduce alcohol consumption and harm in Scotland and beyond.
Our values
Independent, equitable and fair, evidence-based, person-centred, respectful and collaborative.
Key work
Restricting alcohol marketing
Promoting regulation that reduces the level of exposure – particularly of children and young people and people struggling with alcohol-related issues – to alcohol marketing.
Increasing the price of alcohol
Broadening support for optimising minimum unit pricing by introducing an automatic mechanism linking to affordability.
Mandatory health warning labels
For consumers to make an informed choice, alcohol labels need to provide clear product and health information.
Latest news
Ireland’s alcohol advertising controls
Sep 9, 2025: In our latest blog, Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, reflects on Ireland’s experience of implementing restrictions on alcohol marketing and advertising - along with a range of other public health measures including minimum unit pricing and labelling laws. Sheila describes the positive impact these measures have had in reducing alcohol consumption in Ireland, and reflects on learning for countries such as Scotland who may be exploring their own restrictions on alcohol marketing and advertising.
New Report: Alcohol advertising fuels drinking
Sep 2, 2025: In a new report published today, Public Health Scotland have concluded that introducing restrictions on alcohol advertising and marketing is an effective and cost-effective way of reducing how much we drink, and in turn improving the health of people living in Scotland.
Alcohol, Class and Cash: The Real Game Behind the Push to Bring Alcohol Back to Football Grounds
Aug 22, 2025: Efforts to change Scotland’s long-standing policy on alcohol in football stadia have gathered pace this summer. In what has been misleadingly been billed as a ‘pilot’ (implying robust, independent design and evaluation), several SPFL clubs, backed by the governing body, have applied for licensing exemptions in order to expand the sale of alcohol in stadia to very small numbers of fans.
AFS comment on 10 Year Health Plan for England
Jul 3, 2025: The UK Government has today (3 July 2025) published 'Fit for the Future', their new 10 Year Health Plan for England. The plan was billed as a major shift towards prevention, yet fails to include any of the most cost-effective and effective policies to reduce alcohol harm.
