Alcohol Policy UK

Alcohol Awareness Week 2019: ‘Alcohol and me’

Alcohol Change UK have announced Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW) 2019 will take place from 11-17 November on the theme of 'alcohol and me'.

Alcohol Change UK say they will be 'encouraging people to test their knowledge on the low-risk drinking guidelines and on the health impacts associated with drinking', and will be 'tackling some common myths around drinking and showcasing what healthy drinking really looks like'.

The charity will also be sharing information and advice on 'ways to cut down and on the big difference this can make to our long-term health'. It will also be aiming to get people thinking about 'how drinking affects our family and friends, our working lives, those living within our communities, and our society more generally'. 

The organisation says AAW is also an opportunity for charities, local authorities, GP surgeries, businesses and more to think and talk about alcohol harm with their communities and will provide free digital resources including:

• Posters to print and share
• Factsheets to print and share
• Social media images (for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram)
• Suggested posts for social media

Alcohol Change UK are also inviting guest blogs to go on the AAW blog. Last year's AAW was on the theme of change.

Jobs: PHE alcohol programme officer, York alcohol industry research programme

Public Health England (PHE) are recruiting a programme officer to 'provide project management support with a focus on preventing alcohol harm'. The job description sates the overall aim 'will be the development of work to implement national programmes, influence policy direction and to undertake specific project planning'. The post will be based at Wellington House, London. See full details of the post here. Deadline for applications is 28/08/2019.

The University of York Alcohol industry, Policy and Science (TRAPS) research programme is recruiting to two post-doctoral positions. The programme aims to develop our understanding of how alcohol industry actors influence science, the science/policy interface, and policy making, and to examine the implications for public policies. Further details here. Apply by 05/09/2019

News & updates July 2019: service cuts, rise of the sober curious, pubs, health & more

Selected media stories since the July update:

An article on 'The rise of the sober curious: having it all, without alcohol', explores a range of views on those promoting sober lifestyles through social media, appeared in the Guardian. The piece says the “sober curious” are those who drink less or not at all, and broadcast their abstinence with pride as a part of their social media personas and argues despite some concerns, they represent a positive shift towards a more accepting culture of non or moderate drinking.

IAS Alert July 2019: hospital patients, taxation, sponsorship, young people & more

The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: July 2019 is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:

• COVER STORY – 10% of hospital patients found to be alcohol dependent
• Higher alcohol taxes would boost the economy
• Industry in call for coordination on Irish minimum unit pricing plans
• £1bn tax giveaway costs NHS 40,000 nurses
• Scottish Government criticised for funding cuts amid ‘drug and alcohol crisis’
• Prevention green paper has little to say on alcohol
• Southwark to apply late night levy

Prevention Green Paper: another missed opportunity?

The recent release of the Prevention Green Paper consultation for England has prompted has a series of criticisms over a lack of effective actions to address alcohol harms.

Whilst the Green Paper claims to set out a 'new approach to public health that involves a new personalised, prevention model', alcohol and heath groups have spoken out over the absence of any commitments that reflect Public Health England's (PHE) own evidence review.