‼️ The Scottish Government published their new Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan today.
SHAAP's Dr Alastair MacGilchrist responds: the plan is welcome, but we need urgent action and firm commitments. We'll advocate for accountability beyond May's elections.
Full comment: shorturl.at/5jtTt
A grid of nine images featuring my music designs on prints, a mug, a phone case, a T-shirt and cushions.
For everyone watching the Brits tonight, my Record Collection prints are for you.
Designed in Manchester. Made in the UK.
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/record-colle...
#Brits2026 #Manchester
We’ve been advocating for greatly improved alcohol treatment services and recovery communities in prisons (and the wider justice system) for the past 18 months. So it’s gratifying to hear MSPs of all parties back our position today. The next government needs to act on this consensus.
Moving to hear @mareetodd.bsky.social share her personal experience of alcohol harm
Around 1 in 2 of us are harmed by someone else's alcohol use
That's why we need comprehensive, whole population action to prevent and reduce harm
🎧 Dr Alastair MacGilchrist discussed Scotland's minimum unit pricing experience on Radio UIster last night.
7 years of evidence shows MUP works: reduced deaths, fewer hospital admissions, lives saved.
Essential listening for the current NI debate (from 13 mins >)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
SHAAP is a steadfast signatory to this urgent call.
With NI alcohol deaths now highest in the UK, minimum unit pricing is essential. Scotland's evidence shows it saves lives.
"Was it simple? No. Was it powerful? Absolutely."
@FreeInRecovery's Jit Chauhan reflects on the journey to create culturally responsive recovery pathways for Black & Asian communities in Scotland. From doubt to hope to action.
Read his story & the full event report: www.shaap.org.uk/9030-2/
UK Gvt announced their online safety plans for children and they're missing a major piece of the puzzle...
🧩We need to protect u-18s from alcohol marketing via influencers and social media sponsors
👇SHAAP Chair, Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, comments on the proposal
www.shaap.org.uk/news/shaap-c...
🏉 Scotland v England this weekend...
❤️ Passion!
🎉 Atmosphere!
🤔 Alcohol marketing?
SHAAP Chair Dr Alastair MacGilchrist shares what 11-17 yr olds told us: they see alcohol advertising at almost every match, recognise the tactics, and one even said "it just feels wrong"
How can recovery orientated services empower communities to thrive?
Join @healthimprovescot.bsky.social, Harbour Ayrshire, Professor David Best & SHAAP's Dr David McCartney for insights on frameworks bridging harm reduction & recovery.
📅 3 March, 11am-1pm
ICYMI: New @StirUni research discovers the insidious impact of alcohol marketing on young people. @RickPurves explains more below
More info 👉 brnw.ch/21wZG85
Young people tend to think the use of zero alcohol brands to sponsor sports is basically “sneaky” alcohol advertising. It needs to be regulated.
Bit of a wake up call here: when your child or teenager sees zero alcohol brands plastered over the Six Nations (starting tonight!) they are actually seeing alcohol marketing. And this increases their chances of drinking earlier in life, and developing an alcohol problem.
Critical reading ahead of the election💡. When England planned evidence-based alcohol marketing restrictions, coordinated industry lobbying blocked them in under a week.
Incoming MSPs need to recognise these tactics - Scotland will face the same campaign
ICYMI: This report from Movendi reveals how the alcohol industry engages in political interference, market shaping, and narrative control by blocking evidence‑based policy and expanding digital promotion.
movendi.ngo/news-stories...
Not sure how I feel about the commercialisation of the skies above Edinburgh Castle generally, but definitely think having 6 Nations alcohol sponsor floating above us is not appropriate. How is this protecting children from alcohol marketing?!
CrazyRossStrat just put windmills on Greenland then he won't want it anymore
Mark Carney's speech is now only the second most acute analysis of where the world is at right now:
SHAAP and @ias.org.uk commissioned report ‘Spin the Bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility’ can help to debunk some of the messages/ ideas in this article.
Read the full report here: bit.ly/49yLOIs
nen.press/tackling-har...
Maree Todd, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, discusses alcohol availability at football matches:
"Each year, we lose 1,200
people—far too many—to deaths that are directly
related to alcohol. The public health advice would
be to narrow access, not to increase access."
bit.ly/4sEI13E
Thanks to everyone involved in the @shaapalcohol.bsky.social work on this; good to have the opportunity to explain why alcohol problems need to be addressed, alongside drugs.
The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee has reported on how to address substance inc alcohol use in prisons today (but the news agenda is busy so not v high profile!). Really do hope the recommendations on alcohol are acted on
digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/R...
While purporting to care deeply about the funding of other organisations and the importance of free speech, Lord Young's FSU won't reveal who funds the er ... Free Speech Union
Excellent work from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/who-funds-...
And find out how the alcohol industry manipulates us (and policy makers) in the even better follow up Doctors’ Notes www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Listen to a brilliant explanation of how alcohol harms your health, by @maizie333.bsky.social on What’s Up Docs www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This paper highlights that increasing MUP can reduce harm and that MUP policies lose effectiveness if not increased over time - suggesting that governments who seek to introduce MUP should also consider automatic increases in the legislation.
journals.plos.org/plosmedicine...
wrote about The Other Place www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
📣 Abstract submission is open for our 2026 Alcohol Occasionals!
📄 We welcome proposals from all disciplines and from new and early career researchers and/or international researchers.
📆 The deadline for submissions is Friday 30th January 2026.
➡️ More information: bit.ly/4rd9Uz9
The availability of alcohol further normalises its place in society & infringes the rights of those who do not wish to drink, including children. Instead of increasing availability of alcohol at matches, consideration should be given to restricting its availability.
www.shaap.org.uk/calling-time/
Our alcohol and cancer guidance aims to inform health professionals on how to use opportunities in their work to intervene to reduce risks including raising awareness, offering guidance, and supporting patients to reduce drinking.
View guidance: bit.ly/3XXpxgI
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
Alcohol was banned at football matches to curb disorder. Emergency services see a rise in demand and pressure after big matches. Instead of expanding availability of alcohol at matches, consideration should be given to restricting its availability at all sports events.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
