Behind the bar: What publicans really think about alcohol policy
Balance and the Institute of Alcohol Studies have published a fascinating new report,which interviewed 200 publicans about their views on drinking patterns, public health policies, and what they want from government. The findings reveal significant overlap with key asks from public health organisations:
- 62% of publicans say supermarket and off-licence alcohol is too cheap; 60% want government to close the price gap with pubs
- 58% back minimum unit pricing in England (rising to 79% of those surveyed in the North-East) against just 14% opposed
- 75% support a tougher drink-drive limit, including a majority of rural publicans
- 67% want more investment in both treatment and public education around alcohol harms
- Just 1% of the surveyed publicans belong to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and 1% to UK Hospitality – the two bodies consistently treated as the voice of the trade in Westminster
This research shows the real dividing line is between the on-trade and the off-trade, not between hospitality and health. Read the full findings and recommendations in full.
Get involved this FASD Awareness Month!
Wednesday 9 September marks International FASD Day, drawing attention to the importance of going alcohol-free for the 9 months of pregnancy.
With the whole month of September observing FASD Awareness Month, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved, raise awareness of FASD in the UK, and celebrate the amazing day-to-day achievements of people with FASD up and down the country.
The National Organisation for FASD have published several social media graphics people can use to get involved, and are hosting a lunchtime webinar on Wednesday 16 September on how to contact your MP about FASD.
Alcohol harm and recovery in homelessness
Through surveys and interviews, recent research has provided valuable insights into alcohol use and harm among people experiencing homelessness. The studies, carried out by researchers at University College London, found:
- Around one in three people experiencing homelessness exceeded the UK’s low-risk drinking guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, compared with around one in four adults in private households.
- Approximately one in five met criteria for possible alcohol use disorder, compared with fewer than one in twenty in the general population.
- Risk of alcohol use disorder also increased with the number of different forms of homelessness a person had experienced, suggesting that housing instability itself may accumulate over time, increasing vulnerability to alcohol-related harm.
Interview participants described recovery as extraordinarily difficult when basic needs such as safety, shelter and stability remained unmet. For many people, alcohol use and homelessness existed as a cycle: where alcohol-related harms, trauma, poor mental and physical health, and housing instability reinforce one another.
If we are serious about reducing alcohol harms and health inequalities, we need services that are both accessible and responsive to the realities of homelessness, as well as action at a structural level around affordable housing, poverty, and changes to the availability of alcohol. Read a full summary of the research and access the papers.
Citizens’ juries on health and harmful products
Yorkshire and Humber ADPH commissioned several citizens’ juries to explore public views about the health and social impacts of commercial activities relating to tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy foods, and to consider how governments should respond.
Two sets of workshops were held in Wakefield and Doncaster, where jurors were first presented with the evidence, then supported by facilitators to deliberate together, and finally agreed findings and voted on key priorities.
The findings indicated that people were increasingly concerned about the impact of social factors on health. A clear majority (87-88%) agreed that limits should be placed on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of these health harming products. There was also strong support for price-based interventions, and for government policy to be protected from industry influence.
The Northern Ireland Alcohol and Drug Alliance celebrates its 10th anniversary
The Northern Ireland Alcohol & Drug Alliance (NIADA) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special event at Belfast Castle, marking a decade of supporting, strengthening, and championing the voice of the sector.
The milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the partnerships built, and the positive impact delivered over the past ten years — while also looking ahead with ambition for the future.
Pauline Campbell, NIADA chairperson & CEO of Dunlewey Addiction Services, said:
‘It’s fantastic to see so many familiar faces as we celebrate 10 years of NIADA. Reaching this milestone is a real achievement and a chance to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished together. Just as importantly, it’s an opportunity to look ahead with confidence—if the past decade has shown us anything, it’s that there is still so much more to achieve and celebrate.’
Danny McQuillan, NIADA member and CEO of Start360, said:
‘It has been inspiring to see how NIADA has grown over the last decade from a group of organisations working in substance misuse into a strong, respected alliance that is truly greater than the sum of its parts… It stands as a real example of best practice and has become a valued and trusted partner to the statutory sector.’
Events
Alcohol research 2026: new thinking, new directions
New Directions in the Study of Alcohol group
6–7 October
University of Stirling
Alcohol-related brain damage in the community: recognition, response and pathways forward
ARBD Network and Alcohol Change UK
9.30am–1pm, 15 October
Online
MCA Annual Symposium 2026
Medical Council on Alcohol
18 November
Royal College of Physicians, London
