Colin Angus
@victimofmaths.bsky.social
Professor of Alcohol Policy in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (@SARG-SCHARR), graph drawer, data botherer, cake eater, incompetent cyclist and intermittent birder.
Reposted by Colin Angus
The latest publication from our evaluation of the QUIT hospital-based tobacco dependence treatment service is now available. It investigates patient flows from hospital to community stop smoking services and subsequent quitting outcomes. Find out more about this work at quit.sites.sheffield.ac.uk
Smoking cessation after referral from hospital to community stop smoking services: an observational study
Introduction In England, acute National Health Service (NHS) hospitals routinely ask patients about smoking status on admission, offering in-hospital treatment for tobacco dependence and support for q...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The latest publication from our evaluation of the QUIT hospital-based tobacco dependence treatment service is now available. It investigates patient flows from hospital to community stop smoking services and subsequent quitting outcomes. Find out more about this work at quit.sites.sheffield.ac.uk
A nice primer here (ft. @sarg-scharr.bsky.social research) on no/lo alcohol prices and whether they really are more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
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
November 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
A nice primer here (ft. @sarg-scharr.bsky.social research) on no/lo alcohol prices and whether they really are more expensive than their alcoholic equivalents.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Colin Angus
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/...
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
October 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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/...
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/...
Alcoholic drinks, along with fruit and fish, are the only food and drink category to have got cheaper, in real terms, since the start of the cost-of-living crisis.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
October 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Alcoholic drinks, along with fruit and fish, are the only food and drink category to have got cheaper, in real terms, since the start of the cost-of-living crisis.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Beer has got slightly more expensive in real terms since the end of 2022, but wine and spirits remain at late 2022 prices.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Happy to see this commentary come out - some thoughts on the limited implementation of the alcohol floor price in the Northern Territory, and the impact of inflation on the $1.30 price point with no indexation.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Cost of Poor Policy Implementation and Maintenance: The Northern Territory's Alcohol Floor Price
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Happy to see this commentary come out - some thoughts on the limited implementation of the alcohol floor price in the Northern Territory, and the impact of inflation on the $1.30 price point with no indexation.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Colin Angus
Join the Faculty’s Alcohol SIG for an online webinar: Alcohol Licensing Under Threat.
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Alcohol Licensing Under Threat
Alcohol licensing under threat: the urgent need for public health responses to the UK Government's fast-track licensing consultation
www.fph.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Join the Faculty’s Alcohol SIG for an online webinar: Alcohol Licensing Under Threat.
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
Dr. James Nicholls & Prof. Niamh Fitzgerald will discuss proposed changes to alcohol licensing, including a new ‘economic growth’ objective.
The event is open for FPH members www.fph.org.uk/events-cours...
New data shows that the rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England & Wales *fell* in 2024 by 7.8%, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
October 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New data shows that the rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England & Wales *fell* in 2024 by 7.8%, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
This is the first fall since 2018, and is certainly good news, but the no. of people who sadly died from these causes in 2024 is still 1/3 higher than 2019
Interesting thoughts here on recent trends in young adult mortality in the US and Germany. The rise in alcohol deaths in both countries is something we've also seen across the UK.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
I wrote a commentary on a new study comparing US and German mortality trends among “early adults” (age 25-44).
The pre-pandemic trends were wildly different (US far worse), but there’s some sign of increased alcohol deaths persisting since the pandemic in both countries. Concerning stuff.
The pre-pandemic trends were wildly different (US far worse), but there’s some sign of increased alcohol deaths persisting since the pandemic in both countries. Concerning stuff.
Early Adult Mortality in a Cross-National Context
US mortality has long been considered exceptional. Since the mid-1980s, mortality in the US has been higher than in other wealthy nations, and over the last 15 years, that disadvantage has grown.1,2 M...
jamanetwork.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Interesting thoughts here on recent trends in young adult mortality in the US and Germany. The rise in alcohol deaths in both countries is something we've also seen across the UK.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Just how long they might persist is a really important question for public health policy at the moment.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Want to know how to use MAIHDA to examine heterogeniety in policy outcomes? Here's a nice worked-through example!
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
October 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Want to know how to use MAIHDA to examine heterogeniety in policy outcomes? Here's a nice worked-through example!
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
How does intersectional identity impact preference for in-person vs online GP appoinments?
Has been great working with @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues on this :)
I was looking at some Scottish cause of death data yesterday and the extent to which transport accident deaths in young men have all but disappeared is pretty remarkable.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
October 16, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I was looking at some Scottish cause of death data yesterday and the extent to which transport accident deaths in young men have all but disappeared is pretty remarkable.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Nice to find a good news story in this data for a change.
Reposted by Colin Angus
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
October 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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/...
Reposted by Colin Angus
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
October 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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
Reposted by Colin Angus
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...
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
October 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
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...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Not a bad morning round these parts.
October 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Not a bad morning round these parts.
My wife requested a Battenberg birthday cake, so it would have been rude not to oblige. Pretty happy with how this turned out.
October 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
My wife requested a Battenberg birthday cake, so it would have been rude not to oblige. Pretty happy with how this turned out.
Reposted by Colin Angus
Plans to rapidly overhaul alcohol licensing in England and Wales have just been published. They're being sold as ‘tearing up outdated licensing rules’, but could seriously undermine democratic accountability and local control. The devil (as ever) is in the details. www.gov.uk/government/n...
Cheers to Change: Red Tape Review Could Bring More Food, Music and Fun to Your Local
The Government is launching a fast-track review to tear up outdated licensing rules that have been holding back pubs, bars and local events and we want to hear from the people who know best: landlords...
www.gov.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Plans to rapidly overhaul alcohol licensing in England and Wales have just been published. They're being sold as ‘tearing up outdated licensing rules’, but could seriously undermine democratic accountability and local control. The devil (as ever) is in the details. www.gov.uk/government/n...
Lots of coverage today on these new government proposals to reform the alcohol licensing system.
I can see an inherent popular appeal to allowing pubs to stay open later, but I have a lot of thoughts about why these plans are an extremely bad idea..
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I can see an inherent popular appeal to allowing pubs to stay open later, but I have a lot of thoughts about why these plans are an extremely bad idea..
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth
Exclusive: Plans for England and Wales would help the ailing hospitality sector but have attracted criticism from health experts
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Lots of coverage today on these new government proposals to reform the alcohol licensing system.
I can see an inherent popular appeal to allowing pubs to stay open later, but I have a lot of thoughts about why these plans are an extremely bad idea..
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I can see an inherent popular appeal to allowing pubs to stay open later, but I have a lot of thoughts about why these plans are an extremely bad idea..
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Colin Angus
📢 New paper published in @bmjtobacco-control.bsky.social Using electronic point-of-sales (EPOS) data, this study assesses purchase price of factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco across neighbourhood deprivation and urban/rural status in Britain. #TobaccoResearch #PublicHealth
Purchase price of tobacco in small retailers in Great Britain: the relationships with neighbourhood deprivation and urbanicity between 2016–2021
Background Tobacco price is an important determinant of smoking behaviour. Using electronic point-of-sales (EPOS) data, this study assesses purchase price of factory-made cigarettes (FMC) and roll-you...
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:24 AM
📢 New paper published in @bmjtobacco-control.bsky.social Using electronic point-of-sales (EPOS) data, this study assesses purchase price of factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco across neighbourhood deprivation and urban/rural status in Britain. #TobaccoResearch #PublicHealth
Reposted by Colin Angus
Here's more on the key findings from our report published earlier this week which uses the most recent available post-pandemic data to estimate the health and financial toll of alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. #AlcoholPolicy #PublicHealth
New SARG report details alcohol-related health and financial burden in Northern Ireland - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has published new analysis estimating the substantial health and financial toll of alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland, using the most recent availab...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Here's more on the key findings from our report published earlier this week which uses the most recent available post-pandemic data to estimate the health and financial toll of alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. #AlcoholPolicy #PublicHealth
We've got a new report out today using new data from Northern Ireland to estimate Alcohol-Attributable Fractions (AAFs) and the number of hospital admissions and deaths each year in NI caused by alcohol. Plus, how these break down by age, sex and condition.
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
October 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
We've got a new report out today using new data from Northern Ireland to estimate Alcohol-Attributable Fractions (AAFs) and the number of hospital admissions and deaths each year in NI caused by alcohol. Plus, how these break down by age, sex and condition.
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
We've got a shiny new report (full of lovely graphs) all about the no/low alcohol drinks market in Great Britain. How big is the market compared to for standard alcohol and how has it grown recently, how do prices compare, who drinks these products etc. We've got answers to all these questions:
Lots of media coverage this morning of findings from our new report 'Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in Great Britain: Monitoring report on 2023 data'. The no/lo market continues to expand and no/lo drinks are more likely to be consumed by risky drinkers. Find out more 👇 @nihr.bsky.social
New report reveals further growth and key trends in alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks market - Sheffield Addictions Research Group
A second Monitoring Report from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group has been published, revealing further growth in the alcohol-free and low-alcohol (no/lo) drinks market and offering new insights...
sarg-sheffield.ac.uk
September 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
We've got a shiny new report (full of lovely graphs) all about the no/low alcohol drinks market in Great Britain. How big is the market compared to for standard alcohol and how has it grown recently, how do prices compare, who drinks these products etc. We've got answers to all these questions:
Last chart for now - an update to this comparison of age trends in drug and alcohol deaths in Scotland.
As much as the population rates are similar for both causes, the age patterns are *very* different, with drug deaths peaking in the 40s and alcohol deaths in the 60s.
As much as the population rates are similar for both causes, the age patterns are *very* different, with drug deaths peaking in the 40s and alcohol deaths in the 60s.
September 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Last chart for now - an update to this comparison of age trends in drug and alcohol deaths in Scotland.
As much as the population rates are similar for both causes, the age patterns are *very* different, with drug deaths peaking in the 40s and alcohol deaths in the 60s.
As much as the population rates are similar for both causes, the age patterns are *very* different, with drug deaths peaking in the 40s and alcohol deaths in the 60s.
A couple of bonus graphs - comparing today's alcohol-specific death figures for Scotland, with drug-related deaths trends published last month. The good news is that both fell in 2024, although drug-related deaths remain *way* above their levels 20 years ago.
September 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
A couple of bonus graphs - comparing today's alcohol-specific death figures for Scotland, with drug-related deaths trends published last month. The good news is that both fell in 2024, although drug-related deaths remain *way* above their levels 20 years ago.
New figures from National Records of Scotland out today show that alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland fell by 7% to their lowest level since 2019, and are now back in a similar place to where they were before the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing in 2018.
This is obviously good news...🧵
This is obviously good news...🧵
September 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
New figures from National Records of Scotland out today show that alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland fell by 7% to their lowest level since 2019, and are now back in a similar place to where they were before the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing in 2018.
This is obviously good news...🧵
This is obviously good news...🧵
Other exciting news - my brilliant colleague Lucy Burke has had her 1st PhD paper published in BMJ Public Health.
It looks as associations between the reasons why we drink alcohol and whether we drink no- and low-alcohol drinks and has some important implications for the NHS 10-year plan.
It looks as associations between the reasons why we drink alcohol and whether we drink no- and low-alcohol drinks and has some important implications for the NHS 10-year plan.
September 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Other exciting news - my brilliant colleague Lucy Burke has had her 1st PhD paper published in BMJ Public Health.
It looks as associations between the reasons why we drink alcohol and whether we drink no- and low-alcohol drinks and has some important implications for the NHS 10-year plan.
It looks as associations between the reasons why we drink alcohol and whether we drink no- and low-alcohol drinks and has some important implications for the NHS 10-year plan.