News
New study suggests alcohol marketing increases consumption amongst heavier drinkers and poses a danger to people in recovery from alcohol problems
Dec 11, 2024: New study suggests alcohol marketing increases consumption amongst heavier drinkers and poses a danger to people in recovery from alcohol problems
Real terms funding cut and missed opportunities amount to disappointing budget which fails to take Scotland’s alcohol harm emergency seriously
Dec 5, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland, the national charity working to prevent and reduce harm caused by alcohol, has questioned the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing Scotland’s alcohol harm emergency following yesterday’s draft Scottish Budget. The charity says that a mix of funding cuts and missed opportunities amount to a disappointingly lacking budget which will miss the mark in tackling alcohol harm.
AFS Scottish Budget Briefing Published
Nov 29, 2024: Ahead of the draft Scottish Budget on Wednesday 4th December, Alcohol Focus Scotland has published a new briefing which has been sent to MSPs.
AFS joins NCD Alliance in calling for a levy on alcohol and tobacco retailers
Nov 25, 2024: A coalition of health campaigners has written to the Scottish Government ahead of the upcoming Scottish budget calling for the introduction of a levy on retailers of tobacco and alcohol products to fund tangible actions to reduce deaths from preventable diseases.
AFS Comment on WHO Alcohol Policy Playbook Launch
Nov 5, 2024: The World Health Organization (WHO) has today (Wednesday 6th November) published their ‘Alcohol Policy Playbook’. Alcohol Focus Scotland warmly welcomes this resource which aims to help policymakers identify when alcohol-related issues are presented from a profit-seeking perspective and guides them to prioritise public health evidence to reduce alcohol-related harm and its burden on public finances.
Alcohol Focus Scotland response to Audit Scotland report on alcohol and other drug services
Oct 31, 2024: Audit Scotland has today (31st October) published a new report on Alcohol and Drug Services in Scotland. Echoing previous statements from Alcohol Focus Scotland, the report highlights how efforts to reduce alcohol harm have been over-shadowed by a greater focus on drug harms, despite alcohol deaths reaching a 15 year high of 1,277 last year, a figure higher than for all other drugs combined.
NCD Alliance sets out 10 year vision as stark death toll from alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods revealed
Oct 30, 2024: Leading health organisations have joined forces to set out a strategy to tackle the key risk factors causing death and ill-health in Scotland.
AFS Comment on Public Health Scotland ABI Review
Oct 29, 2024: Public Health Scotland has today (29th October) published its review of alcohol brief interventions in Scotland, providing recommendations for policy. The report calls for a refreshed approach to embedding conversations about alcohol across health and social care settings including a comprehensive plan for achieving this over 10 years.
Comment on MUP in Northern Ireland
Oct 18, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland has welcomed the announcement that Northern Ireland Executive will introduce legislation on Minimum Unit Pricing.
Alcohol-Free Childhood campaign wins First Minister backing
Oct 16, 2024: The First Minister John Swinney has given his support to a joint campaign aimed at ensuring that children and young people in Scotland grow up free from the harmful effects of alcohol marketing.
AFS responds to announcement of SPFL official beer partnership with Carling
Oct 7, 2024: The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today announced Carling as the league’s official beer. Commenting on the announcement, Alison Douglas, CEO of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: “This decision by the Scottish Professional Football League is particularly disappointing at a time when Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol emergency and has just seen alcohol deaths reach a fifteen-year high.
New 65p minimum unit price comes into effect
Sep 30, 2024: The new 65p minimum unit price for alcohol comes into effect in Scotland today (September 30th). The uprating of MUP follows a successful campaign by Alcohol Focus Scotland and our partners, which resulted in overwhelming cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament and received the backing of more than 80 health and children’s charities, medical royal colleges and churches.
AFS response to suggested lifting of alcohol stadium ban
Sep 27, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland responds to suggested lifting of alcohol stadium ban
Alcohol Focus Scotland response to Ministerial Statement on alcohol and other drugs
Sep 12, 2024: In his Ministerial Statement today on alcohol and other drugs, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray has announced that plans for a second consultation on alcohol marketing restrictions are to be further delayed pending an evidence review by Public Health Scotland.
Ongoing alcohol deaths crisis highlights need for a “radical step change” in Government’s response
Sep 10, 2024: 1,277 people died in 2023 from causes solely attributable to alcohol, according to figures published today, Tuesday 10th September, by National Records for Scotland. This is a slight increase on the figures from 2022 (1,276).
Campaigners call on First Minister to fulfil commitment to protect Scotland’s children & young people from alcohol marketing
Aug 16, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland, BMA Scotland, Children in Scotland, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) are calling on the First Minister to reaffirm his government’s commitment to consult on alcohol marketing restrictions in the upcoming Programme for Government.
#LGBTCommunityNotCommodity - AFS calls for examples of LGBT+ targeted alcohol marketing
Jul 15, 2024: Over the next month, we’re asking members of the LGBTQIA+ community to tell us where and when they see an alcohol advert targeting the LGBTQIA+ community!
AFS welcomes new WHO report exposing damaging impact of Big Alcohol on public health
Jun 12, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland welcomes a new report published by WHO Europe exposing the wide ranging and damaging impact of specific powerful industries in driving ill health and premature death across the continent.
Alcohol Emergency continues as latest ONS Deaths Data Published
Apr 22, 2024: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published their latest figures for alcohol specific deaths in the UK.
AFS Welcomes Parliamentary Vote to Increase MUP
Apr 17, 2024: The Scottish Parliament has today (17th April) voted to continue and increase the minimum unit price for alcohol to 65p per unit, concluding a lengthy process which included a robust and independent evaluation by Public Health Scotland, further public consultation and intense parliamentary scrutiny.
AFS welcomes HSCSC vote in favour of increasing MUP
Mar 27, 2024: The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has voted in favour of retaining and uprating the minimum unit price for alcohol to 65p. AFS responds.
New PHS Dashboard reveals true scale of alcohol harm
Mar 26, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland responds to new PHS dashboard.
Response to questions regarding AFS funding
Mar 20, 2024: Alcohol Focus Scotland is an independent charity.
Alcohol related hospital admissions down but alcohol harm still too high
Mar 19, 2024: New figures from Public Health Scotland show significant reduction in alcohol related hospital admissions. AFS responds.
Stand Firm and Save Lives
Mar 18, 2024: More than 80 organisations from across Scotland and beyond have come together to call on MSPs to increase the minimum unit price for alcohol to 65p.
AFS welcome Scottish Government plans to increase MUP
Feb 8, 2024: The Scottish Government has announced plans to continue and increase minimum unit pricing to 65p per unit. AFS respond.
Levy on supermarkets could raise £57 million a year
Feb 5, 2024: New research shows that a levy on shops and supermarkets that sell alcohol could raise £57 million a year for alcohol treatment.
Support for a Public Health Levy on alcohol sales
Jan 14, 2024: Scottish Labour calls for a Public Health Levy to be implemented on alcohol sales.
First Minister commits to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol marketing
Dec 13, 2023: First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP has signed up to support a joint campaign from AFS, SFAD, SHAAP and BMA Scotland.
Survey shows post-pandemic increase in drinking for some
Dec 5, 2023: AFS responds to concerning new figures from the Scottish Health Survey 2022.
Scottish Government commit to further plans to restrict alcohol marketing
Nov 30, 2023: Today (30 November 2023) the Scottish Government has published analysis of the responses to the consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion held earlier this year.
Challenge and Change: Rod Anderson
Oct 2, 2023: Challenge and Change is the AFS Involvement Team blog series. For this blog post, we spoke with Rod Anderson, Chief Recovery Officer with Recovery Coaching Scotland.
Parliament must come together to renew and reinvigorate MUP
Sep 20, 2023: AFS calls on Parliament to increase MUP following new report which shows its effectiveness was eroded by inflation and COVID-19.
A ‘responsible’ drinking campaign that features cocktail recipes?
Sep 11, 2023: Alcohol Focus Scotland is "deeply concerned" that the Scottish Government has pledged to support a whisky industry campaign to raise awareness about the alcohol content of drinks.
Unacceptable rise in alcohol-specific deaths
Aug 29, 2023: 1,276 people lost their lives due to alcohol in 2022. AFS responds.
Health experts share concerns about complaint made on MUP evaluation
Aug 12, 2023: Health experts commend Scotland’s evaluation of minimum unit pricing
Newly published figures reveal 40% drop in alcohol treatment in Scotland over 10 years
Jul 26, 2023: AFS responds to newly published alcohol treatment figures, highlighting the 40% decrease and calling for action.
Challenge and Change: Lived Experience Voices on Alcohol Marketing
Jul 4, 2023: Challenge and Change is the AFS Involvement Team blog series. In this blog post, the Involvement team shares their work on alcohol marketing and share the voices of lived and living experience.
Blog post for Alcohol Awareness Week 2023: Interview with Diane Thomson
Jul 3, 2023: Interview with Diane Thomson, Senior Learning and Engagement Coordinator, for Alcohol Awareness Week 2023.
Public Health Scotland evaluation supports continuation of MUP
Jun 27, 2023: The final verdict from PHS supports the continuation of MUP
Alcohol and diabetes: a guest blog post from Diabetes Scotland
Jun 7, 2023: Guest bloggers from Diabetes Scotland discuss relationship between alcohol consumption and diabetes.
Doctors say lack of response on alcohol deaths could spell disaster for Scotland
Apr 19, 2023: 36 charities and medical bodies call for strong leadership to tackle highest level of deaths since 2008.
MUP reduces deaths and hospital admissions
Mar 21, 2023: AFS responds to new evidence published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and The Lancet showing the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP) on deaths and hospital admissions attributable to alcohol consumption.
Alcohol hospital admissions continue to be too high
Feb 28, 2023: New figures from Public Health Scotland show equivalent someone being admitted to hospital every 15minutes for an alcohol-related conditions.
Restricting alcohol advertising in Scotland – Lessons learned from countries with existing restrictions
Feb 22, 2023: New blog: Dr Richard Purves summarises case studies from European countries with alcohol marketing restrictions
What is the effect of alcohol marketing on people with or at risk of an alcohol problem?
Jan 4, 2023: New blog from Prof Rachael Murray, University of Nottingham, highlights effect of alcohol marketing on people with alcohol problems.
ONS figures show highest alcohol deaths on record
Dec 8, 2022: Alcohol-specific deaths rise likely caused by increased consumption during pandemic.
New PHS report: MUP and alcohol sales
Nov 22, 2022: AFS responds to new Public Health Scotland report on the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol sales after three years of implementation.
Scottish Government launches alcohol marketing consultation
Nov 17, 2022: AFS responds to Scottish Government consultation on alcohol marketing.
New PHS report: MUP and alcohol products and prices
Nov 15, 2022: AFS responds to new Public Health Scotland report on the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol products and prices.
New licensing policy review guide
Oct 25, 2022: New Alcohol Focus Scotland licensing policy review guide.
Health campaigners call on Scottish Government to regulate alcohol packaging
Jul 19, 2022: Study funded by AFS reveals impact of alcohol packaging on young people.
Scottish charity calls for ban on all alcohol promotion
Jun 28, 2022: AFS and a group of international experts call on the Scottish Government to introduce a ban on alcohol marketing.
New NCD Prevention Coalition Report - Mapping Future Harm
Jun 8, 2022: New NCD Prevention Coalition Report: "Mapping Future Harm". June 2022.
Online Alcohol Sales & Deliveries: A survey of young people in Scotland
May 15, 2022: New report from Alcohol Focus Scotland looking at online alcohol sales and deliveries to children and young people. May 2022.
Four years of minimum unit pricing
May 1, 2022: Scotland introduced MUP four years ago - where are we now?
Prominent health warnings on alcohol products make drinking “unappealing”, new study finds
Apr 11, 2022
Insights from People in Recovery
Mar 15, 2022: Find out more about why engaging with people in recovery is important.
Report on alcohol sales and harm in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic
Feb 22, 2022: Rise in harm from alcohol despite decrease in consumption
Sugar content in wine revealed: Health experts deem alcohol labelling ‘woefully inadequate’
Feb 16, 2022: Health experts call for better alcohol labelling as it is revealed that wine can contain anywhere between 0g and 59g of sugar per bottle.
Alcohol hospital admissions lower during pandemic
Feb 1, 2022: Lower hospital admissions may mean people were not seeking help during the pandemic.
Study reveals those already at risk from heavy drinking bought more alcohol during lockdowns
Jan 20, 2022: New study reveals those already at risk of harm from heavy drinking bought significantly more alcohol during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Alcohol policy measures could reduce ambulance callouts
Dec 14, 2021: Initial dramatic decline in lockdown alcohol-related ambulance callouts reverted to pre-pandemic levels as home drinking increased.
Widespread support to increase MUP
Nov 19, 2021: 28 organisations support AFS and SHAAP’s calls to increase the minimum unit price.
Three quarters of Scots back new controls to help protect children from alcohol advertising
Aug 31, 2021: The poll of Scottish adults found 75% of Scots support controls to limit the exposure of children and young people to alcohol advertising
More accurate estimates for the burden of Alcohol on the Ambulance Service: around 1 in 6 callouts in Scotland are alcohol related
Aug 9, 2021: Evidence on the impact of alcohol on the Scottish Ambulance service.
How can alcohol labels be improved to help people make informed consumption choices
Jul 26, 2021: Blog from researchers exploring what works on alcohol labels
Health experts call for better alcohol labelling
Jul 14, 2021: New research shows the public do not know the nutritional information of alcohol
Young people and their views on alcohol marketing
Jun 25, 2021: Young people share their thoughts on alcohol and alcohol marketing in their daily lives.
Minimum unit pricing has lasting impact study shows
Jun 22, 2021: Lancet study shows MUP is having impact in Scotland
Euros renews call for action to protect children from alcohol sports sponsorship
Jun 18, 2021: Alcohol Focus Scotland call on the Scottish Government to curb sponsorship of professional sport by alcohol companies.
Lowest alcohol sales in Scotland for 26 years
Jun 17, 2021: Alcohol sales fell to 9.4 litres per adult in 2020
Current alcohol labelling of little relevance to young adult drinkers
May 26, 2021: Visible, meaningful health information and warnings may help to inform the public about potential risks.
Governments should step up efforts to tackle harmful alcohol consumption
May 24, 2021: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report found an increase in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and that comprehensive alcohol policy measures are needed to tackle alcohol harm.
Scottish public and leading health experts back changes to alcohol labelling
May 11, 2021: New figures suggest people in Scotland would back plans to include calorie and health information on alcohol products.
AFS calls for 65p minimum unit price for alcohol
Apr 30, 2021: AFS are calling on the next Scottish Government to prioritise reviewing and raising the minimum price for alcohol to optimise its benefits.
How will the main parties prevent harm from alcohol?
Apr 29, 2021: What policies and commitments have been made by Scotland's five main parties ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections
Alcohol labelling reform is way past its sell by date
Apr 26, 2021: Some alcoholic drinks contain a shocking amount of sugar, but how would you know?
Alcohol Focus Scotland launches manifesto to tackle harm from alcohol
Mar 26, 2021: Ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections AFS has launched their new manifesto calling on all candidates and parties to commit to addressing alcohol harm.
Young drinkers believe prominent health warnings on alcohol could boost risk awareness
Mar 3, 2021: Health information, messaging and warnings on alcohol packaging: A focus group study with young adult drinkers in Scotland
Alcohol sales and consumption in Scotland during the pandemic
Feb 16, 2021: Alcohol sales drop during pandemic but still concerns over solitary drinking.
How can we prevent alcohol deaths?
Nov 27, 2020: Recent statistics show alcohol deaths are still alarmingly high. What is AFS doing to help prevent alcohol-specific deaths in the future?
Alcohol Deaths and Minimum Unit Pricing
Nov 25, 2020: We asked Colin Angus, from the University of Sheffield team to look at what the recent alcohol-specific death stats tell us about MUP.
Young Scots show support for restrictions on alcohol marketing
Nov 20, 2020: Young Scot health panellist Alexandra Taylor blogs about her experience and further research into young people's views on alcohol marketing restrictions.
YoungScot Health Panel report on alcohol marketing and harm
Nov 19, 2020: YoungScot Health panel publish new report Preventing Harm - Alcohol Marketing and Young People
Better alcohol labelling - A way to boost awareness of the risk between alcohol and cancer?
Oct 29, 2020: Ben Chiu, Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK explores the link between alcohol and cancer, and why governments should consider requiring alcohol product to contain health information on labels.
Alcohol Deaths Prevention Support
Sep 24, 2020: AFS publishes guidance for undertaking local alcohol deaths reviews.
Almost half of Scots in favour of minimum unit pricing
Sep 22, 2020: Analysis by Public Health Scotland of the 2019 Scottish social attitudes survey found 49.8% people asked supported the measure
Health experts campaign for better understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Sep 8, 2020: Health advocates campaign to help prevent FASD in Scotland.
Health experts call for alcohol labelling overhaul
Aug 26, 2020: Health experts and charities call for the governments to take responsibility for mandating labelling on alcohol products as new research finds current system failing.
Survey shows Scots lockdown drinking rise caused by stress
Jul 23, 2020: 51% of people who drank more than usual during lockdown reported doing so as a way to handle stress.
Victory for public health as Australian ministers agree to visible pregnancy warning
Jul 17, 2020
Alcohol Focus Scotland welcomes new WHO report on alcohol pricing
Jul 1, 2020: The new report highlights minimum unit pricing as an approach that can reduce both alcohol consumption and health inequalities.
Statistical analysis of off-trade alcohol sales in the year following MUP
Jun 10, 2020: New report published by Public Health Scotland showed there had been a reduction in off-sales of alcohol of between 4% and 5% in the year after minimum unit pricing was introduced.
Alcohol Focus Scotland Review of statements of licensing policy 2018 – 2023
Jun 8, 2020: AFS reviewed the policies published in November 2018 to identify any emerging trends in licensing approaches, and the extent to which the documents meet legal requirements and go beyond them to incorporate good practice. Read more.
We need to continue long-term focus on alcohol
May 1, 2020: Minimum unit pricing has been in place for two years, but what impact will the current circumstances have?
Scots report changing drinking patterns during coronavirus lockdown
Apr 23, 2020: Polling suggests more than a million adults in Scotland have cut down on drinking
Time to Blow the Whistle on Alcohol Sport Sponsorship
Mar 4, 2020: Alcohol Focus Scotland and SHAAP call for ban on alcohol sponsorship of sport
New evidence demonstrates that alcohol ads lead to youth drinking
Feb 24, 2020: New evidence concludes that the marketing of alcoholic drinks is one cause of underage drinking.
Alcohol sales fall in first year of MUP
Jan 28, 2020
First study published into under 18 drinkers post MUP
Jan 23, 2020: Health Scotland publish first study looking into under 18 drinkers post MUP.
Two years on: Are annual functions reports reaching their potential?
Nov 29, 2019: Aidan Collins, AFS Senior Coordinator, reflects on the new requirement for licensing boards to produce annual functions reports, and asks - two years on - whether the reports are having their intended effect.
Scottish primary children call for action on alcohol
Sep 19, 2019: Members of Children's Parliament share how being around alcohol can make them feel unsafe and ignored.
It’s time to tell us what’s in our drinks
Sep 9, 2019: The Scottish Government is considering taking control of alcohol labelling - and not a minute too soon
A home for Rory
Sep 5, 2019: Working with foster carers or kinship carers? Let us introduce A Home for Rory series of books
Alcohol sales and MUP
Jun 28, 2019: Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, discusses the encouraging figures from the MESAS monitoring report and why we should remain confident that MUP will improve Scotland’s health.
Lowest alcohol sales in 25 years
Jun 19, 2019: The volume of alcohol sold per adult in Scotland in 2018 has fallen to its lowest level since 1994.
The Children's Parliament investigates an alcohol-free childhood
Jun 3, 2019: We believe our children have the right enjoy a happy childhood, free from the emotional and physical impact of other people’s drinking and alcohol marketing.
Minimum unit pricing - one year on
Apr 30, 2019: 1st May 2019 marks the 1st anniversary of the implementation of minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland. Scotland was the first country in the world to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol (MUP), following a ten year campaign.
More about sales data
Apr 10, 2019
A family of resources - it is all about prevention, education and resilience
Mar 29, 2019
AFS publish Review of Licensing Board Annual Functions Reports 2017-2018
Mar 27, 2019
Marketing unmasked: dispelling the myths and taking a stand
Mar 1, 2019
No place for alcohol marketing in sport
Feb 20, 2019
Scotland publishes first UK guidelines for diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
Jan 23, 2019
The Alcohol Framework 2018 Preventing Harm
Nov 30, 2018
Scotland’s new drug and alcohol strategy launched
Nov 28, 2018
AFS welcome new alcohol framework
Nov 20, 2018
Recent reporting on alcohol sales data
Oct 24, 2018
Diageo is failing to provide latest guidelines on their products
Oct 2, 2018
Drinks companies keeping consumers in dark about risky drinking
Sep 14, 2018
Reducing alcohol consumption can address health inequalities
Aug 24, 2018: NHS Scotland's report finds "twice as likely to die early or live with ill health if you live in the poorest areas."
Global first alcohol policy set to save hundreds of Scots' lives
May 1, 2018
AFS welcomes minimum unit pricing for alcohol
Mar 27, 2018
Alcohol causes 3,700 deaths in Scotland every year
Feb 1, 2018: New report shows truer picture of alcohol's contribution to ill health in Scotland.
Truer picture of alcohol harm revealed
Jan 31, 2018: Latest blog from Alison Douglas, Chief Executive.
Scotland's licensing system needs clearer direction
Dec 13, 2017: New report shows action needed to ensure licensing works more effectively to protect people and communities from alcohol-related harm.
Minimum pricing blog
Nov 20, 2017: Alison Douglas, AFS Chief Executive, talks about the long road to get minimum pricing implemented in Scotland.
Minimum pricing gets green light
Nov 15, 2017: Landmark victory for public health as UK Supreme Court rejects Scotch Whisky Association appeal.
Alcohol brands and young people
Nov 3, 2017: Cancer Research UK report explores views of 13-18 year olds on alcohol marketing and finds alcohol ads appeal to young people and influence their choices.
Time for honest conversations about alcohol
Oct 27, 2017: Latest blog by Alison Douglas, AFS Chief Executive.
Q&A on alcohol marketing
Oct 20, 2017: Prof Karine Gallopel-Morvan discusses the impact of alcohol marketing and what steps we can take to protect children.
UK children anxious about parents' drinking
Oct 18, 2017: Report finds low-level parental drinking can leave children feeling worried, embarrassed and facing more arguments.
Alcohol producers failing to inform public
Aug 23, 2017: Alcohol product labels failing to include information on low-risk drinking guidelines or health harms.
Concern over alcohol-related deaths
Aug 21, 2017: Alcohol Focus Scotland and national partners write to Cabinet Secretary and Minister urging action.
We need to make it easier for people to drink less
Aug 15, 2017: Every week, we are buying enough alcohol for every person in Scotland to substantially exceed the weekly drinking guideline.
Worrying rise in alcohol-related deaths
Aug 2, 2017: 10% rise in alcohol-related deaths between 2015 and 2016.
Minimum pricing will save lives
Jul 24, 2017: Final appeal at the UK Supreme Court this week.
Pocket money prices for alcohol continue
Jul 20, 2017: Price check reveals cheap, strong alcohol available for as little as 16p per unit.
Scotland's alcohol problem laid bare
Jun 21, 2017: Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland are 54% higher than in England and Wales.
One drink a day can increase breast cancer risk
May 23, 2017: Evidence in new report by World Cancer Research Fund.
Poverty linked to increased harm from alcohol
May 11, 2017: Study finds harmful impacts of alcohol are higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
Alcohol-free childhood is healthiest option
Jan 4, 2017: Children in Scotland should play, learn and socialise in places that are healthy and safe, free from exposure to alcohol marketing and harm.
SWA granted leave to appeal minimum pricing
Dec 21, 2016: Appeal means further delay to introduction of this life-saving measure.
SWA will appeal to UK Supreme Court
Nov 18, 2016: AFS criticises Scotch Whisky Association for further delaying life-saving minimum pricing policy.
SWA urged to respect minimum pricing decision
Oct 28, 2016: Public health and charity leaders sign open letter.
Minimum pricing can be implemented in Scotland
Oct 21, 2016: Great news for Scotland's health - Court of Session rejects Scotch Whisky Association's appeal.
Emergency services face shocking levels of alcohol abuse
Aug 24, 2016: New survey reveals 999 workers report that alcohol is a contributory factor in around half of all incidents.
Every child has the right to grow up safe from alcohol harm
Jul 15, 2016: Shift to home drinking means a shift in where harm takes place.
Minimum pricing - European court ruling
Dec 23, 2015: Scottish court to decide whether minimum pricing more effective than taxation at protecting health.
10 year olds more familiar with beer brands than biscuits
Feb 5, 2015: Campaigners are calling for stricter alcohol marketing regulations to protect children and young people after research found 95% of 10 and 11 year olds recognised a beer brand.
eFocus newsletter
Our monthly eFocus newsletter features all of the latest news from Alcohol Focus Scotland on our key strategic work areas, as well as news of upcoming AFS training and events, briefings, consultation responses and more.
We also feature news from the wider alcohol sector, including on alcohol policy, practice, events and latest research.