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alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Alcohol Focus Scotland
@alcoholfocus.bsky.social
570 followers 520 following 760 posts
Scotland's national charity working to prevent and reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

Website: https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/

Alcohol Free Childhood Campaign: https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/Alcohol-Free-Childhood/
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alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · Nov 12
We're delighted that First Minister John Swinney recently pledged his support to our Alcohol-Free Childhood campaign ✍️

The campaign aims to ensure that children and young people grow up free from the harmful effects of #AlcoholMarketing
Read more 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/al...
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Thanks to @monicalennon.bsky.social for asking Parliamentary questions on whether the upcoming alcohol prevention plan will include marketing restrictions and on plans to introduce automatic uprating of minimum unit pricing. 🙌
Screenshot with text reading: Question To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce an automatic uprating mechanism for Minimum Unit Pricing. Answer The Scottish Government committed in the Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan to the publication of the range of actions it will take in line with World Health Organization advice as part of a future Alcohol Harm Prevention Plan. That plan will set out action to prevent alcohol harm in Scotland, building on the impact of policies such as Minimum Unit Pricing. Whilst no decision has been yet been taken, the Scottish Government has continued to consider the appropriate next steps for minimum unit pricing. This will be set out as part of the Alcohol Harm Prevention plan in due course. Screenshot with text reading: Question To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to bringing forward an alcohol harm prevention plan, including action to restrict marketing and availability of alcohol. Answer The Scottish Government published the ‘Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan’ in March 2026, which commits the Scottish Government to a long-term public health approach to reducing alcohol and drug-related harm, including the publication of an Alcohol Harm Prevention Action Plan setting out the next steps for addressing alcohol-related harm in Scotland. Work is currently underway to develop that Plan, which will set out the next phase of action to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. As part of this work, we will continue to assess the evidence on measures that could help reduce alcohol-related harm. No decisions have yet been taken on specific measures, and further details will be published in due course through the Alcohol Harm Prevention Action Plan.
September 18, 2026 at 1:11 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We're proud to announce the launch of Scotland's first ever Alcohol Action Day! ✊

The theme is 'Support'. 🤝

Sign up to take action on our website 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/alcohol-acti...
September 17, 2026 at 3:51 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Thanks to Jack Middleton MSP for his question at this morning's Health Committe on when we can expect Scotland's alcohol harm prevention plan.

Thanks to @mareetodd.bsky.social for her answer.
September 16, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
Public health policy in Scotland should be shaped by evidence. Too often it is shaped by the industries that profit from ill health.

A new report from NCD Alliance Scotland (of which SHAAP is a member) sets out how that happens
www.bhf.org.uk/ncda-scotlan...

#NCDAScot
Health Under Influence: The Industry Playbook Behind Scotland’s Health Harms
NCD Alliance Scotland sets out the tactics used by the alcohol, tobacco and junk food industries to delay and weaken public health policy in Scotland, and what policymakers should do about it.
www.bhf.org.uk
September 15, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
carolynl.bsky.social
Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for covering this joint approach to the First Minister from @alcoholfocus.bsky.social and @shaapalcohol.bsky.social. Scotland needs clear and consistent leadership on public health: not ever cheaper access to alcohol. We hope he will listen to us.
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 9d
Campaigners working to tackle alcohol harm have penned a furious letter to John Swinney urging him against lobbying the UK Government on reducing duty, claiming it is at odds with his pledge to tackle domestic abuse
John Swinney under fire over plan to lobby Labour on alcohol duty
www.thenational.scot
September 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We support calls by the @aha-uk.bsky.social to bring back the alcohol duty escalator

The period during which it was active (2008-2014) was the only sustained period in recent decades where alcohol-related death rates leveled off or dipped

The First Minister should join those calls
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 9d
Campaigners working to tackle alcohol harm have penned a furious letter to John Swinney urging him against lobbying the UK Government on reducing duty, claiming it is at odds with his pledge to tackle domestic abuse
John Swinney under fire over plan to lobby Labour on alcohol duty
www.thenational.scot
September 11, 2026 at 10:49 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Updated guidelines from the @who.int for preventing or delaying onset of #dementia recommends reducing alcohol consumption

Policies that reduce population drinking can prevent or delay dementia - including action on price, marketing and availability

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/who-gu...
The WHO Has Released Guidelines On Preventing Or Delaying Dementia Onset
Up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable or at the very least, can be delayed.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
September 10, 2026 at 4:45 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
**AFS Vacancy**

Senior Policy Coordinator

We are seeking a skilled policy professional to join our passionate team.

Find out more and apply 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/about-vacanc...
5 chairs, 4 yellow with a blue one in the middle, with text reading 'We're hiring'.
September 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
Today is International FASD Day, marked on the 9th day of the 9th month to reflect the nine months of pregnancy. Dr Patricia Jackson OBE, of our Steering Group, reflects on progress and challenges for FASD in Scotland - which is often missed and preventable.
International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day 2026: Reflecting on Progress and Challenges for FASD in Scotland - Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day takes place on the 9th day of the 9th month, reflecting the nine months of pregnancy during which babies can be at risk from alcohol exposure.…
www.shaap.org.uk
September 9, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
ias.org.uk
62% of publicans say alcohol sold in supermarkets & off-licences is too cheap. 1/4 say it is one of their three biggest business challenges.

Shifting alcohol sales from cheap off-trade shops back to the on-trade could benefit both pubs & public health.

Find out more: www.ias.org.uk/report/behin...
September 9, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
drinkingstudies.bsky.social
Call for automatic updating of MUP in Scotland | @alcoholfocus.bsky.social www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/le...
News | Leading health organisations demand urgent action on alcohol deaths
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 aut...
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
September 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
**AFS Vacancy**

Senior Policy Coordinator

We are seeking a skilled policy professional to join our passionate team.

Find out more and apply 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/about-vacanc...
Image of 5 chairs and text reading 'We're hiring!"
September 7, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
More info here from when the FM last said something similar: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

(3/3)
Swinney 'undermining SNP's minimum unit pricing' with 'stupid' whisky tax comments
More people are killed from alcohol harm than drugs harm in Scotland.
www.scotsman.com
September 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
1) it directly contradicts his own government policy on using price to reduce consumption as a way of tackling the high rate of alcohol harms in Scotland and 2) duty has minimal impact on whisky anyway, as around 95% of it is exported from the UK.

(2/3)
September 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
Once again the First Minister has stated he wants duty on whisky to be reduced.

www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...

This doesn't make sense for two reasons 👇

(1/3)
The Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament examines what the Scottish Government is doing, makes new laws on devolved matters and debates the issues of the day.
www.parliament.scot
September 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Happy to be attending this event today!

Looking forward to some important insights on the pitfalls of industry partnerships.
shaapalcohol.bsky.social SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 14d
ICYMI 🚨

Our most recent SHAAP blogger is Dr Abbie Irving on Community Alcohol Partnerships. Industry funded schemes are across 350+ UK locations, often cited in debates as an alternative to public health policy. The research raises important questions about what that funding relationship means 👇️
Community Alcohol Partnerships: growing prominence and concerns about industry funding - Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
Over the past few years, Community Alcohol Partnerships (or CAP) have become an increasingly prominent feature of alcohol harm reduction discussions in the UK. More than 350 local CAP schemes have…
www.shaap.org.uk
September 7, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
ias.org.uk
Publicans are even more supportive of MUP in England than the public at large. Minimum unit pricing could narrow the price gap between cheap off-trade alcohol and what pubs can charge.

Read the report: www.ias.org.uk/report/behin...
September 3, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
ias.org.uk
"We have the right to, and probably the duty to, call out unethical business practices which harm the health of our local populations."

🎧 We hear from Peter Roderick, ADPH spokesperson on CDoH & City of York Director of Public Health, on the Alcohol Alert podcast: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/powe...
September 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
The Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment was published on Tuesday.

It featured warm words on tackling Scotland's alcohol problem, but no specifics.

Read our thoughts. 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/un...
News | Unless Scottish Government takes action to reduce alcohol consumption and prevent population harm, it is undermining its own ambition on prevention.
Prevention was one of the much-hyped themes of this Programme for Government. With an ageing population and a growing prevalence of long-term conditions, our increasing need for the NHS has become un...
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
September 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
⌛️ One week to go until our next Alcohol Occasional ⌛️

Abbie Irving from the University of Edinburgh examines Community Alcohol Partnerships and what local organisations make of industry funded public health initiatives.

Free online, Monday 7 September, 12:45-2pm.

@sarnalcohol.bsky.social
Navigating the promise and risks of industry-funded partnership
Abbie Irving will deliver the third Alcohol Occasional seminar of 2026, focussing on Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP).
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 31, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Alcohol Focus Scotland
shaapalcohol.bsky.social
SHAAP Chair Dr Alastair MacGilchrist comments on the need for stronger public health action on alcohol as part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls.

“Today’s programme contains no clear commitments on how it will take forward public health action to reduce alcohol harms.”

⬇️
heraldscotland.bsky.social The Herald @heraldscotland.bsky.social · 18d
EXCLUSIVE

John Swinney has been warned that tackling violence against women and girls must be measured by 'action and outcomes, not rhetoric'

www.heraldscotland.com/news...

@hannahmargbrown.bsky.social
September 2, 2026 at 9:36 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
The First Minister has today announced the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment 2026-2031

Read our response🔽
Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with text reading: "The Scottish Government is right to describe the impact of alcohol on Scotland as a public health emergency. But this Programme for Government doesn’t back up these words with action proportionate to the scale of damage to Scotland's health, economy and wellbeing. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing (MUP) and the lack of ambition to build on this legacy is frustrating. To truly tackle Scotland’s catastrophic relationship with alcohol, we need to put prevention at the heart of the health agenda. The Scottish Government must introduce automatic uprating of MUP, so its impact is not eroded by inflation. Alongside this, they must reform the licensing system and take decisive action to restrict alcohol marketing.”
September 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
September is #FASDAwarenessMonth

Find out more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder on our website. 🔽

https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/information-fasd/
September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We've joined with our campaigning partners in writing to
@mareetodd.bsky.social to demand urgent action on #AlcoholDeaths

The evidence is clear - minimum unit pricing saves lives.

It's time to legislate for automatic uprating of #MUP

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/le...
August 31, 2026 at 1:28 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We've just published our eFocus newsletter for August 2026.

Featuring the latest news and updates from AFS, as well as the latest news, events and research.

mailchi.mp/dc684c85b7eb...
August 27, 2026 at 11:25 AM