John Holmes
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jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes
@jholmessheff.bsky.social
1.6K followers 240 following 110 posts

Professor of Alcohol Policy at the University of Sheffield. Co-Director of NIHR Policy Research Unit in Addictions. Research focuses on alcohol pricing and MUP, no/lo drinks, youth drinking, drinking guidelines and more. Occasionally rants about Everton. .. more

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Art 31%
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Reposted by Mike Daube, John Holmes

sarg-scharr.bsky.social
SARG - SCHARR @sarg-scharr.bsky.social · 6d
New SARG research published in @addictionjournal.bsky.social this week led by @damonm1989.bsky.social has found that public health policies which reduce spending on harmful products can actually provide a significant boost to UK jobs and the wider economy. #PublicHealth #HealthEconomics #UKEconomy
New research shows that spending less on tobacco, gambling and sweets is good for the UK economy - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
A new study from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has found that public health policies which reduce spending on harmful products can actually provide a significant boost to UK jobs and ...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk

Reposted by Mike Daube, John Holmes, Margot C. Finn

ias.org.uk
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 12d
In our new FOI study we found that Budweiser directly urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene and "ensure" that DHSC removed alcohol marketing restrictions from the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan.

Health policy should be protected from industry influence.

www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...

Reposted by John Holmes

ias.org.uk
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 21d
Has England’s drinking returned to “normal” after COVID?

In our latest blog, Dr Vera Buss explains how alcohol dependence and harm remain elevated - especially among more disadvantaged groups.

www.ias.org.uk/2026/01/20/h...
Has England’s drinking returned to “normal”? - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Nearly five years on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, England’s drinking patterns are only partly returning to pre-pandemic levels. New research shows that while average consumption is falling...
www.ias.org.uk

Reposted by John Holmes, Dariusz Galasiński

drinkingstudies.bsky.social
Drinking Studies Network (DSN) @drinkingstudies.bsky.social · 22d
'How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?' | @jholmessheff.bsky.social @bmj.com www.bmj.com/content/392/...
How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?
John Holmes and colleagues argue for a precautionary approach that is guided by public health interests and considers both risks and benefits Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol (nolo) drinks have ...
www.bmj.com

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · 25d
The BMJ paper also includes a list of principles and example policies that could support a public health approach to no/lo drinks

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · 25d
This follows our recent piece in @addictionjournal.bsky.social exploring the issues related to no/lo drinks and people with AUDs or alcohol-related liver disease onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol‐free and low‐alcohol products in higher risk groups
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) are now widely available and popular with consumers in high-income countries; however, it is unclear whether clinicians and others working to preven...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · 25d
Our new paper in the @bmj.com explores how public health should respond to alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks. We argue for a precautionary approach that shapes the emerging policy framework to maximise the public health benefits and minimise the risks of these products
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?
John Holmes and colleagues argue for a precautionary approach that is guided by public health interests and considers both risks and benefits Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol (nolo) drinks have ...
www.bmj.com

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Dec 19
Just imagine how much fun you'd be having if it was actually a contest

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Dec 19
I am so glad I keep waking up at 5:30am to watch this thrilling funeral procession.

Reposted by John Holmes

addictionjournal.bsky.social
Addiction journal @addictionjournal.bsky.social · Dec 2
Has alcohol consumption in England returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels? A monthly population study, 2014 to 2024 buff.ly/OQC8Ii3 @melissaoldham.bsky.social @drsarahejackson.bsky.social @lionshahab.bsky.social @victimofmaths.bsky.social @jholmessheff.bsky.social @jamiebrown.bsky.social

Reposted by John Holmes

addictionjournal.bsky.social
Addiction journal @addictionjournal.bsky.social · Dec 2
Addiction is currently seeking to expand its pool of Statistics & Methodology Editors - please see here for more details, including how to apply www.addictionjournal.org/newsroom/dep...
Addiction Journal - Deputy Statistics & Methodology Editor Role with Addiction
www.addictionjournal.org

Reposted by John Holmes

ias.org.uk
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · Nov 26
The UK government has confirmed that alcohol duty rates will be increased in line with inflation, staying the same in real terms.

We welcome this decision.

Our statement:

Reposted by Peter Campbell, John Holmes, Mark Robinson

hern.bsky.social
Alex Hern @hern.bsky.social · Nov 26
From now on, when discussing the budget, please use “is this measure bigger than the cost to the exchequer of gen Z drinking less” as your metric for assessing whether something actually raises or costs a significant sum

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Nov 26
Our new paper looks at trends in alcohol consumption after the COVID-19 pandemic and finds mixed results - some indicators are returning to pre-COVID levels (but are not there yet) and the main indicator of alcohol dependence is staying high.
victimofmaths.bsky.social Colin Angus @victimofmaths.bsky.social · Nov 24
Another new @addictionjournal.bsky.social paper out today looking at trends in alcohol consumption in England and trying to answer the important question as to whether this has returned to pre-pandemic levels after rising during the first lockdown.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Nov 26
Our latest paper on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks discusses the challenges they present for clinicians and others supporting people with alcohol use disorders or alcohol-related liver disease.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol‐free and low‐alcohol products in higher risk groups
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) are now widely available and popular with consumers in high-income countries; however, it is unclear whether clinicians and others working to preven...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by John Holmes

victimofmaths.bsky.social
Colin Angus @victimofmaths.bsky.social · Nov 24
Another new @addictionjournal.bsky.social paper out today looking at trends in alcohol consumption in England and trying to answer the important question as to whether this has returned to pre-pandemic levels after rising during the first lockdown.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Reposted by Mark Petticrew, John Holmes

ias.org.uk
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · Nov 7
This is one of the major concerns regarding zero alcohol products: that they only benefit wealthier people because they're more expensive than standard alcohol.

Reducing alcohol deaths among the lowest socioeconomic groups has to be the priority, (🧵)

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Why are alcohol-free drinks so expensive? Some fake spirits cost over £25 a bottle!
In this new series, our money and consumer editor considers the often perplexing reasons items cost what they do. As a new report suggests booze-free booze can cost 25% more than the alcoholic equival...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by John Holmes

shwardle.bsky.social
Heather Wardle @shwardle.bsky.social · Nov 5
Super interesting work using health admin records by @simondymond.bsky.social and colleagues, looking at gambling-related suicide - especially good on use of services and opportunities for interventions

www.kcl.ac.uk/news/researc...
Research reveals people with a gambling disorder are more likely to die by suicide | King's College London
People diagnosed with a gambling disorder are significantly more likely to die by suicide, according to new research by Swansea University in collaboration with King’s College London and Gambling Harm...
www.kcl.ac.uk

Reposted by Alan Brennan, John Holmes

nihr-pruaddictions.bsky.social
Policy Research Unit in Addictions @nihr-pruaddictions.bsky.social · Nov 5
Our new video introduces the Policy Research Unit in Addictions, showing how our research helps inform policy and tackle the challenges of addiction and addictive products.

Watch it on Youtube and subscribe for more on our latest research youtu.be/Qwp4VrnFfnk
Introducing the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Addictions: Research That Shapes Policy
YouTube video by Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Addictions
youtu.be

Reposted by John Holmes

charlierosehead.bsky.social
Charlotte Head @charlierosehead.bsky.social · Nov 5
I'll be presenting a poster at the European Public Health Conference next week in Helsinki bringing together my postdoc work with @lhgp.bsky.social and my PhD/MSc work on environmental contamination in wastewater. academic.oup.com/eurpub/artic...
Wastewater-based epidemiology for local tobacco and nicotine use with small-area estimations
AbstractBackground. Tobacco and nicotine use is a significant global public health threat, increasing the risk of many cancers and cardiovascular disease.
academic.oup.com

Reposted by John Holmes

sarg-scharr.bsky.social
SARG - SCHARR @sarg-scharr.bsky.social · Nov 5
SARG researchers @abi-stevely.bsky.social @ppermanhowe.bsky.social and @mervemolla.bsky.social are heading to the @addiction-ssa.org Annual Conference to present some of our latest research into alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks. Find out more on the SARG website 👇 #publichealth #nolo
SARG to present latest research on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks at SSA Annual Conference 2025 - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) are set to present their latest findings on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks at the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) Annual C...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Oct 29
This is a hugely important editorial that sets out how UK Government proposals to reform alcohol licensing will undermine the entire purpose of the licensing system. It will explicitly move the focus from protecting public health and social order to promoting economic goals and business priorities.
ias.org.uk Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · Oct 27
A new @addictionjournal.bsky.social commentary warns of regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing

The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing policy: The 2025 ‘licensing taskforce’ report
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by John Holmes

jamesnicholls.bsky.social
James Nicholls @jamesnicholls.bsky.social · Oct 27
New @addictionjournal.bsky.social editorial on the licensing reforms currently being rushed through by the UK Government.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

The Call for Evidence closes on November 6th www.gov.uk/government/c...
Regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing policy: The 2025 ‘licensing taskforce’ report
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Mike Daube, John Holmes

ias.org.uk
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · Oct 27
A new @addictionjournal.bsky.social commentary warns of regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing

The ‘Licensing Taskforce’ - led by industry figures - could weaken democratic accountability & redefine licensing as business promotion, not public protection

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Regulatory capture in UK alcohol licensing policy: The 2025 ‘licensing taskforce’ report
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by Mary Bosworth, John Holmes, Juanjo Medina

profalexstevens.bsky.social
Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · Oct 18
We need two new full-time lecturers in #criminology here at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. One permanent share.google/RuTNSJWfvkuK... and one 12 month maternity cover share.google/xzf5icskztO9...
Lecturer in Criminology at University of Sheffield
Apply for the Lecturer in Criminology role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
share.google

Reposted by John Holmes

drinkingstudies.bsky.social
Drinking Studies Network (DSN) @drinkingstudies.bsky.social · Oct 15
Addiction Psychologist podcast ft. @jholmessheff.bsky.social on Minimum Unit Pricing creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
The Addiction Psychologist • A podcast on Spotify for Creators
Drs. Noah Emery and Samuel Acuff interview researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in the field of addiction psychology with the hopes of enhancing recovery. Official podcast of the Society for Addi...
creators.spotify.com

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Oct 14
I spoke to @samuelacuff.bsky.social and @noahemery.bsky.social on their Addiction Psychologist podcast about the evidence on minimum unit pricing for alcohol. You can listen below: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
The Addiction Psychologist • A podcast on Spotify for Creators
Drs. Noah Emery and Samuel Acuff interview researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in the field of addiction psychology with the hopes of enhancing recovery. Official podcast of the Society for Addi...
creators.spotify.com

Reposted by John Holmes

alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · Oct 14
We're recruiting for a new CEO!

You will be the driving force behind our mission to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives across Scotland and beyond.

Find out more and apply ⬇️

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/about-vacanc...
Image featuring text: We are hiring

Reposted by John Holmes

sarg-scharr.bsky.social
SARG - SCHARR @sarg-scharr.bsky.social · Oct 14
The latest paper from our @nihr.bsky.social funded No/Lo Project finds that around a third of people use alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks in attempts to cut down on drinking alcohol, but no clear evidence that they increase the success of these attempts. #AlcoholResearch #NoLo #AlcoholPolicy
The use of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in attempts to restrict alcohol consumption: findings from a cross-sectional survey
The sale and consumption of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) has increased substantially in many high-income countries, including Gr…
www.sciencedirect.com

jholmessheff.bsky.social
John Holmes @jholmessheff.bsky.social · Oct 14
Our new paper led by Inge Kersbergen finds no clear evidence that using alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks increases the success of attempts to cut down on drinking.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The use of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks in attempts to restrict alcohol consumption: findings from a cross-sectional survey
The sale and consumption of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks (no/lo drinks) has increased substantially in many high-income countries, including Gr…
www.sciencedirect.com