Alcohol Focus Scotland | News

AFS Response to Programme for Government 2026

David Barbour — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:16:00 +0100

The Scottish Government has today (1st September 2026) published it’s Programme for Government 2026-2031.

Leading health organisations demand urgent action on alcohol deaths

David Barbour — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:02:00 +0100

More than 20 organisations from across Scotland’s health and social care sectors have joined together to urge the Scottish Government to secure the future minimum unit pricing (MUP) by introducing automatic uprating of the measure.

In Focus: The AFS Monthly CEO Blog - August 2026

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:22:00 +0100

‘No Scotland no party?’ How Scotland’s mythology is weaponised against us, and what we can do about it

In Focus: The AFS Monthly CEO Blog - July 2026

David Barbour — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:03:00 +0100

“I’ve had to stay at home today, I’ve a touch of the old toe rot”.

Alcohol Focus Scotland launches Alcohol Action Network

David Barbour — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:24:00 +0100

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re delighted to announce the launch of a new project aiming to further cement the voices of lived and living experience across the work we do to reduce the unacceptable levels of alcohol harm in Scotland.

Scottish alcohol sales decrease in 2025

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:02:00 +0100

A new update from Public Health Scotland has shown that in 2025 the volume of alcohol sold has continued to fall, representing a 15% decrease since 2017.

Cancer Prevention Action Week highlights need for clear health information on alcohol products

David Barbour — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:21:00 +0100

by Sophie Bridger, Policy Manager, Alcohol Focus Scotland

FM’s ‘disappointing’ reply to concerns around alcohol ads during World Cup

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:07:00 +0100

At Tuesday’s First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Labour MSP Carol Mochan, raised a question about children and young people being exposed to alcohol marketing during major sporting events, including the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

In Focus: The AFS monthly CEO blog - June 2026

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:03:00 +0100

In the second of a new series of CEO blogs, Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, reflects on Scotland’s football fans abroad and our reputation as big drinkers.

One in five alcohol products keep consumers in the dark on health information, new study finds

David Barbour — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:16:00 +0100

One in five alcohol products sold in the UK fail to meet minimum voluntary labelling guidelines set by the alcohol industry regulator, the Portman Group, according to new analysis of over 530 alcohol product labels – the biggest study of its kind to date.

In Focus: The Monthly AFS CEO Blog - May 2026

David Barbour — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:23:00 +0100

In the first of a new series of monthly CEO blogs, Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, shares her thoughts post-election on Alcohol Focus Scotland’s hopes for the new Parliament.

AFS Comment on ONS Alcohol Specific Death Stats

David Barbour — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:04:00 +0100

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today (Monday 11^th May) published their latest figures for alcohol specific deaths in the UK.

AFS backs Lancet Commission call to raise alcohol prices to cut liver disease

David Barbour — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:54:00 +0100

A new Lancet Commission on liver health in Europe highlights a growing and largely preventable burden of liver disease, with around 284,000 deaths each year linked to conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Alcohol is identified as a major contributing factor alongside obesity, poor diet and viral hepatitis, with experts warning that without action the scale of harm will continue to rise.

The Commission calls for stronger, population-level measures to address the commercial drivers of ill health, including significantly higher taxes on alcohol and unhealthy food, mandatory health warnings, and tighter restrictions on marketing—particularly to children. It argues that aligning taxation with the true societal costs of these products is essential to reducing consumption and preventing harm.

Alcohol and Party Manifestos

David Barbour — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:19:00 +0100

by Sophie Bridger, AFS Policy Manager

Leading health advocates express concerns about commonwealth games partnerships with health harming products

David Barbour — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:26:00 +0100

Leading health organisations, including Alcohol Focus Scotland, are expressing serious concerns following Jubel X and Coca Cola having been announced as official partners for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Blog: New Strategy, New Parliament, New Hope

David Barbour — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:45:00 +0000

Carolyn Lochhead, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland analyses Scotland’s new Alcohol and Drug Strategic Plan

Blog: Think Outside the Bottle: Rethinking What We Give Mums This Mother’s Day

David Barbour — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:39:00 +0000

by Gillian Brown, Our Circle for Alcohol Free Mums

AFS Response to new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan for 2026-2035

David Barbour — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:27:00 +0000

The Scottish Government has today (10/03/2026) published their new alcohol and drugs strategic plan for 2026-2035.

No more half measures: alcohol charity demands bold alcohol action in next Parliament

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:21:00 +0000

Scotland’s national alcohol charity, Alcohol Focus Scotland, has warned Scotland’s next MSPs that it’s time to get serious about tackling the cost of harm caused by alcohol.

AFS joins health leaders call for minimum unit pricing after record alcohol deaths in Northern Ireland

David Barbour — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:17:00 +0000

Health leaders have written to the First and Deputy First Ministers calling for urgent action after alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland reached their highest level on record.