Ireland was set to introduce world first alcohol health labels yesterday. After intensive industry lobbying (including seven ministerial meetings in four months) the government delayed them until 2028... via @sheilagilheany.bsky.social on the familiar pattern of industry influence on policy.

With 1179 alcohol-specific deaths in 2024, Scotland faces a public health emergency. Yet the ministerial portfolio has expanded from Alcohol & Drugs to include Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, and Sport - raising concerns that alcohol harm is being downgraded as a priority Read our full statement:

As the new (kind of ) Scot Gov plans how it’s going to prevent poor health, this new research should help their thinking on alcohol marketing restrictions.

For anyone who worlds in primary care, or healthcare more generally, this is definitely essential listening.

Lots going on in politics in Scotland and the UK just now but whatever happens there’s always one constant in the background: the ongoing influence of big business - like alcohol - on policy that’s supposed to protect our health.

💡1 week to go until our first Alcohol Occasional of 2026💡 With alcohol sponsorship in sport making headlines, this one couldn't be more relevant. @richardpurves.bsky.social unpacks the tactics and what they mean for young people Mon 18 May, 12:45, free & online Don't miss it!

The alcohol industry will always find ways to maximise sales and delivery apps are a new (ish) frontier with which regulation desperately needs to catch up.

Healthy life expectancy in Scotland is still falling. The Health Foundation's new blog makes the case for prevention, including stronger action on alcohol marketing and availability. "Reducing the influence of commercial interests can remove distortion in decision making."

Ahead of the World Cup licence extensions, this is worth a read. Definitely feel concerned that blanket extensions have been given the go ahead.

What happens when pubs stay open later? Aberdeen found out. New research published in BMJ: 11.4% rise in alcohol-related ambulance call-outs, 8.5% increase in reported crimes. Young men most affected... buff.ly/1W8OW3S

"Sport, at its best, is a feast of health and fitness. And yet, sport's greatest spectacles are used systematically to encourage us to consume everything which is bad for our health." @robinireland.bsky.social on Glasgow 2026's alcohol and soft drink sponsors.

Alcohol and gambling sponsorship in Scottish football may be on borrowed time ⏳️ This piece argues clubs should prepare now rather than wait for legislation to force change. The English Premier League is already ahead - Scotland shouldn't be caught out... Give it a read: buff.ly/bw97Hyo

The quote from Lord Naseby tells us everything about why industries that produce harmful products (in this case tobacco, but could equally be alcohol) argue for “education”. Because more impactful action such as restrictions on availability harm their profits.

Very topical as various big sporting events approach.

Good to see the Scottish Lib Dems back linking MUP to inflation. Essential if the policy is to keep pace with rising prices and maintain its public health impact. @willierennie.bsky.social @scotlibdems.org.uk Find out more about Minimum Unit Pricing on our website: www.shaap.org.uk/facts-figure...

Another day, another party manifesto! This time the SNP, makes clear that there is a lot to do to reduce the harms caused by alcohol. One of the areas they’ve committed to (as Labour did earlier in the week) is piloting hospital-based Alcohol Care Teams, an approach we have been advocating for.

SHAAP is proud to support @alcoholfocus.bsky.social's #AlcoholFreeKids campaign. We believe children have the right to play, learn and socialise in places that are safe and health, protected from exposure to alcohol marketing.

Pleased to see the @scottishgreens.org manifesto taking a public health approach to alcohol: automatic MUP uprating, marketing restrictions, health labelling and a levy on producers. Evidence-based policy SHAAP have long stood for.

ICYMI 📝 Our latest blog: "New Eyes on an Old Problem" explores alcohol marketing, industry influence,and what Scotland's new strategic plan means for the fight ahead. With a Scottish Parliament election on the horizon, accountability matters. Read more:

There is a strange disconnect between Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games announcing a beer brand as an official sponsor, while Glasgow City has THE highest alcohol death rate of all 21 council areas... 🧵 @shaapalcohol.bsky.social's... www.heraldscotland.com/news/2600112...

If you’re interested in how someone new to the field finds alcohol industry behaviour, this blog is worth a read.

How does this decision protect future generations from alcohol harms, or people who are in recovery from alcohol problems? Such a regressive and exclusionary step to take, and in a city that suffers from the highest number of deaths from alcohol in Scotland. Not much of a legacy.

When people think of alcohol problems, they picture extremes. But dependency often starts quietly. A daily glass? No alcohol-free days? Needing more to feel the same? @DrAmirKhanGP explains what to look out for: buff.ly/ysUJmbR

Ahead of Scotland v Japan at Hampden later today ⚽️ A reminder that alcohol branding at major sporting events isn't just background noise - it's shaping young people's attitudes from an early age. @RickPurves explains more 💡

ICYMI 🎧 Listen to the latest Conversations about Alcohol episode, a joint project with RCGP Scotland 👇 Katriona Paterson, clinical nurse manager, joins Dr Rachel Phillips to discuss consultation styles for helping patients with alcohol problems. buff.ly/2UUva2E

SHAAP has written to the First Minister after his "stupid decisions on alcohol taxation" comments. Pricing measures are among the most effective tools to reduce alcohol harm - at odds with the Scottish Government's own MUP policy. Read the letter here 👇

Pleased that @shaapalcohol.bsky.social had the chance to flag the cognitive dissonance that the First Minister and other Scot Gov ministers experience when talking about alcohol duty increases…given they are the government that introduced the life saving minimum unit pricing policy.

Ireland was set to become the first country requiring cancer warnings on alcohol... Then industry pushback forced a delay until 2028 🤔 @ias.org.uk's new blog unpicks what happened and why it matters:

Cheap sachets. Influencer campaigns. Aggressive lobbying against health policies. 🎥 New @ias.org.uk documentary exposes the tactics Big Alcohol uses to expand across Africa, Asia & Latin America... A playbook we recognise here in Scotland 👀 buff.ly/zzpreNM

SHAAP is proud to stand with 23 other health organisations calling on the next Scottish Parliament to act on alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food. 52,000 lives lost to NCDs every year. 85% of people want industries held to account. Read the manifesto 👇

If they’ve not got one already the @scotparl.bsky.social must introduce an alcohol in the workplace policy to try to reduce harassment. This is just horrendous. news.stv.tv/politics/mor...

If you want to know how much progress there’s been in relation to residential rehab in Scotland have a read. But there’s clearly still a long way to go in improving access.

‼️ 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

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?!

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...