Ireland introduces regulations to end promotions on alcohol
This month, multibuy deals will be banned and alcohol sales disallowed from supermarket voucher schemes in Ireland. These measures are being introduced to disincentivise individuals from greater alcohol consumption, in turn contributing to reducing alcohol harm. This is part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, which has been previously responsible for introducing the regulation of the advertising of alcohol and reducing the visibility of alcohol products in Irish supermarkets.
Key workers and men drank higher quantities of alcohol in one sitting during first lockdown, study suggests
A study of more than 1,000 participants by the University of East Anglia suggests that women drank alcohol more frequently during the first national lockdown, but men, older people and key workers consumed greater quantities of it in one sitting.
Professor Caitlin Notley, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: ‘It is critical now that we reflect on these changes so that we can advise people of how best to protect their health for any future lockdowns.’
APPG on Alcohol Harm relaunches with new chair
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Harm has relaunched with a new chair, Christian Wakeford MP. The group aims to inform parliamentarians on the latest issues around alcohol harm and make recommendations to government and other policymakers.
To find out about their next event, visit the Alcohol Change UK website.
Alcohol Change UK announce funding for four new research projects
Alcohol Change UK is pleased to announce four new research projects they will fund in 2021, under a New Horizons grant programme.
These include:
- Supporting solutions for south Asian women: developing models for substance use support
- Exploring communities of belonging around drink
- Telling our own stories: an exploratory study of alcohol use and harm by people who identify as Roma, Gypsies and Travellers
- Understanding the association between mental health and alcohol use in black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.
Increase in alcohol and drug use in Scotland during lockdown, according to new report
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs released their latest report Lockdown and Beyond: A COVID Insights Report in December. Since March 2020, levels of alcohol and drug use have increased across Scotland. Some families were already concerned about their loved one’s substance use, however for others this is a new experience. The report includes their helpline trends, letters from families and professionals, and steps the charity has taken to ensure family members are supported.
Love Your Liver Awareness Month resources
January marks Love Your Liver Awareness Month, the national campaign promoted by the British Liver Trust (BLT).
Over a million adults in the UK may currently have the early stages of liver disease but are unaware and have no symptoms.
Find out more about the campaign on the BLT website.
Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and Alcohol report on family support
Family support is an area of increasing interest yet much of the evidence around families, their support experience and what this offers for families in their own right is often limited. The new research report by Scottish Families seeks to address some of the gaps in our understanding by exploring the experiences of families in their own words.
Drinkcoach publish blog series for Dry January
Throughout Dry January Drinkcoach are publishing a series of 10 blogs on an alcohol
workers journey cutting down on alcohol for the new year. Read the series on their website.
Events
Exploring men’s alcohol consumption in the context of becoming a father: a scoping review
SHAAP
25 February 2021, with additional dates
Managing drug and alcohol problems in primary care conference 2021
RCGP & SMMGP
25 and 26 March 2021, online
