Institute of Alcohol Studies
@ias.org.uk
An independent organisation that seeks to bridge the gap between science and public policies to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Website: https://www.ias.org.uk/
Newsletter & Podcast: https://instalcstud.substack.com/
Website: https://www.ias.org.uk/
Newsletter & Podcast: https://instalcstud.substack.com/
Three in four employees think employers have a responsibility to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Find out more about alcohol's negative impact on the UK's economic productivity by listening to our latest podcast: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
Find out more about alcohol's negative impact on the UK's economic productivity by listening to our latest podcast: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Three in four employees think employers have a responsibility to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Find out more about alcohol's negative impact on the UK's economic productivity by listening to our latest podcast: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
Find out more about alcohol's negative impact on the UK's economic productivity by listening to our latest podcast: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
Exactly - you won't find many policies that have such a clear impact. The alcohol death rate almost perfectly tracks alcohol's affordability, as this chart shows:
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Exactly - you won't find many policies that have such a clear impact. The alcohol death rate almost perfectly tracks alcohol's affordability, as this chart shows:
Raising alcohol duty by 2% above inflation for 5 years would bring an extra £3.4 billion into the Treasury.
This would pay the salaries of 37,000 NHS nurses over the period.
Try out the @aha-uk.bsky.social calculator to see the economic benefits of a duty escalator: ahauk.org/alcohol-duty...
This would pay the salaries of 37,000 NHS nurses over the period.
Try out the @aha-uk.bsky.social calculator to see the economic benefits of a duty escalator: ahauk.org/alcohol-duty...
November 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Raising alcohol duty by 2% above inflation for 5 years would bring an extra £3.4 billion into the Treasury.
This would pay the salaries of 37,000 NHS nurses over the period.
Try out the @aha-uk.bsky.social calculator to see the economic benefits of a duty escalator: ahauk.org/alcohol-duty...
This would pay the salaries of 37,000 NHS nurses over the period.
Try out the @aha-uk.bsky.social calculator to see the economic benefits of a duty escalator: ahauk.org/alcohol-duty...
...recent history when the gap in affordability of pub and supermarket alcohol wasn't widening hugely.
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
...recent history when the gap in affordability of pub and supermarket alcohol wasn't widening hugely.
One of the most effective ways to reduce record high alcohol deaths would be to reintroduce the 'alcohol duty escalator' that Alistair Darling brought in, as @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social refers to in this debate about wine duty.
It was also the only time in...
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025...
It was also the only time in...
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025...
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
One of the most effective ways to reduce record high alcohol deaths would be to reintroduce the 'alcohol duty escalator' that Alistair Darling brought in, as @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social refers to in this debate about wine duty.
It was also the only time in...
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025...
It was also the only time in...
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025...
Industry economic arguments are easier to make than public health economic arguments.
🎧 Listen to our October podcast on @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on the impact alcohol has on workplace productivity🎙️
Guest: Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎧 Listen to our October podcast on @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on the impact alcohol has on workplace productivity🎙️
Guest: Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
November 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Industry economic arguments are easier to make than public health economic arguments.
🎧 Listen to our October podcast on @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on the impact alcohol has on workplace productivity🎙️
Guest: Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎧 Listen to our October podcast on @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on the impact alcohol has on workplace productivity🎙️
Guest: Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
Imagine a UK where alcohol harm is rare and everyone has an equal chance of good health.
That’s the vision behind the new report 'A Healthier Future', which sets out the roadmap - and how cross-government action can make it happen.
🗺️ View and share 👉 www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
That’s the vision behind the new report 'A Healthier Future', which sets out the roadmap - and how cross-government action can make it happen.
🗺️ View and share 👉 www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
November 12, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Imagine a UK where alcohol harm is rare and everyone has an equal chance of good health.
That’s the vision behind the new report 'A Healthier Future', which sets out the roadmap - and how cross-government action can make it happen.
🗺️ View and share 👉 www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
That’s the vision behind the new report 'A Healthier Future', which sets out the roadmap - and how cross-government action can make it happen.
🗺️ View and share 👉 www.ias.org.uk/report/a-hea...
Cheap supermarket alcohol is the biggest threat to pubs, according to publicans.
The government could raise off-trade duty above inflation while protecting pubs via draught duty relief.
That means healthier communities and stronger pubs.
Read our Budget submission ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The government could raise off-trade duty above inflation while protecting pubs via draught duty relief.
That means healthier communities and stronger pubs.
Read our Budget submission ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
November 5, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Cheap supermarket alcohol is the biggest threat to pubs, according to publicans.
The government could raise off-trade duty above inflation while protecting pubs via draught duty relief.
That means healthier communities and stronger pubs.
Read our Budget submission ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The government could raise off-trade duty above inflation while protecting pubs via draught duty relief.
That means healthier communities and stronger pubs.
Read our Budget submission ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Baroness Walmsley raises serious concerns in the @houseoflords.parliament.uk about the government’s alcohol licensing reforms - led by industry, with no health representation.
She calls out the plan to prioritise “growth” over health and local democracy.
hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
She calls out the plan to prioritise “growth” over health and local democracy.
hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Baroness Walmsley raises serious concerns in the @houseoflords.parliament.uk about the government’s alcohol licensing reforms - led by industry, with no health representation.
She calls out the plan to prioritise “growth” over health and local democracy.
hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
She calls out the plan to prioritise “growth” over health and local democracy.
hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-1...
Which occupations have the highest drinking and potentially the poorest workplace productivity?
🎙️ On our latest podcast, Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social discussed the new @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK report on alcohol's impact to our economy🎙️
Links to listen: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎙️ On our latest podcast, Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social discussed the new @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK report on alcohol's impact to our economy🎙️
Links to listen: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
November 3, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Which occupations have the highest drinking and potentially the poorest workplace productivity?
🎙️ On our latest podcast, Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social discussed the new @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK report on alcohol's impact to our economy🎙️
Links to listen: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎙️ On our latest podcast, Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social discussed the new @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK report on alcohol's impact to our economy🎙️
Links to listen: ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
Alcohol not only harms health but also our economy 📉
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast where we spoke to Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social about @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on lost productivity due to alcohol🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast where we spoke to Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social about @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on lost productivity due to alcohol🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Alcohol not only harms health but also our economy 📉
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast where we spoke to Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social about @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on lost productivity due to alcohol🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast where we spoke to Dr @jamie-ohalloran.bsky.social about @ippr.org/Alcohol Change UK's new report on lost productivity due to alcohol🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/alco...
A striking lack of understanding of the licensing system lies at the heart of the government’s proposed reforms.
They claim to focus on pubs and restaurants, with “negligible” impact on shops and online delivery - but weakening local powers, removing conditions, and extending...
They claim to focus on pubs and restaurants, with “negligible” impact on shops and online delivery - but weakening local powers, removing conditions, and extending...
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A striking lack of understanding of the licensing system lies at the heart of the government’s proposed reforms.
They claim to focus on pubs and restaurants, with “negligible” impact on shops and online delivery - but weakening local powers, removing conditions, and extending...
They claim to focus on pubs and restaurants, with “negligible” impact on shops and online delivery - but weakening local powers, removing conditions, and extending...
The only time in recent history that the alcohol death rate was consistently falling was during the ‘duty escalator’.
This is no coincidence.
Raising duty rates above inflation would be the best way to save lives quickly.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
This is no coincidence.
Raising duty rates above inflation would be the best way to save lives quickly.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The only time in recent history that the alcohol death rate was consistently falling was during the ‘duty escalator’.
This is no coincidence.
Raising duty rates above inflation would be the best way to save lives quickly.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
This is no coincidence.
Raising duty rates above inflation would be the best way to save lives quickly.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The number of people who die from drink driving is equivalent to a Boeing 787 crashing every year, Baroness Hayter explains in the House of Lords.
She calls for a reduction in the drink drive limit.
She calls for a reduction in the drink drive limit.
October 23, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The number of people who die from drink driving is equivalent to a Boeing 787 crashing every year, Baroness Hayter explains in the House of Lords.
She calls for a reduction in the drink drive limit.
She calls for a reduction in the drink drive limit.
Despite a new government promising action on health, the same vested interests are at work behind the scenes.
'Killer Tactics 2' reveals how industry lobbying has weakened progress on tobacco, alcohol and junk food policy -
@ashorguk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/uploads/Kill...
'Killer Tactics 2' reveals how industry lobbying has weakened progress on tobacco, alcohol and junk food policy -
@ashorguk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/uploads/Kill...
October 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Despite a new government promising action on health, the same vested interests are at work behind the scenes.
'Killer Tactics 2' reveals how industry lobbying has weakened progress on tobacco, alcohol and junk food policy -
@ashorguk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/uploads/Kill...
'Killer Tactics 2' reveals how industry lobbying has weakened progress on tobacco, alcohol and junk food policy -
@ashorguk.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social
ash.org.uk/uploads/Kill...
**Help Shape a New Alcohol Support Tool**
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University are inviting mid-life women to share thoughts and experiences on cutting down their alcohol intake.
Visit the project website to find out more, or email spacesproject@brookes.ac.uk.
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University are inviting mid-life women to share thoughts and experiences on cutting down their alcohol intake.
Visit the project website to find out more, or email spacesproject@brookes.ac.uk.
October 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
**Help Shape a New Alcohol Support Tool**
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University are inviting mid-life women to share thoughts and experiences on cutting down their alcohol intake.
Visit the project website to find out more, or email spacesproject@brookes.ac.uk.
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University are inviting mid-life women to share thoughts and experiences on cutting down their alcohol intake.
Visit the project website to find out more, or email spacesproject@brookes.ac.uk.
Cider is still taxed at less than half the rate of beer of the same strength.
Aligning both rates with wine/spirits could save 75,000 lives over 20 years and £1.4bn for the NHS.
It’s time to end this unfair tax loophole.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Aligning both rates with wine/spirits could save 75,000 lives over 20 years and £1.4bn for the NHS.
It’s time to end this unfair tax loophole.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
October 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Cider is still taxed at less than half the rate of beer of the same strength.
Aligning both rates with wine/spirits could save 75,000 lives over 20 years and £1.4bn for the NHS.
It’s time to end this unfair tax loophole.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Aligning both rates with wine/spirits could save 75,000 lives over 20 years and £1.4bn for the NHS.
It’s time to end this unfair tax loophole.
Read our Budget submission: www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
"Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol is not good for the heart."
This #WorldHeartDay, check out the World Heart Federation's myth-busting policy briefing on alcohol and the heart.
world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/u...
This #WorldHeartDay, check out the World Heart Federation's myth-busting policy briefing on alcohol and the heart.
world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/u...
September 29, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol is not good for the heart."
This #WorldHeartDay, check out the World Heart Federation's myth-busting policy briefing on alcohol and the heart.
world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/u...
This #WorldHeartDay, check out the World Heart Federation's myth-busting policy briefing on alcohol and the heart.
world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/u...
"Contrary to some claims that marketing is about market share rather than increasing consumption, the evidence base, comprising 26 studies, suggests that there is a relationship between marketing and consumption"
- Public Health Scot's alc marketing review
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
- Public Health Scot's alc marketing review
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
September 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"Contrary to some claims that marketing is about market share rather than increasing consumption, the evidence base, comprising 26 studies, suggests that there is a relationship between marketing and consumption"
- Public Health Scot's alc marketing review
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
- Public Health Scot's alc marketing review
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
The delay to Ireland's health warning labels will mean real people are diagnosed with real cancers while not being given the right information on labels.
We discussed this in our recent podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-... @alcoholireland.ie
We discussed this in our recent podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-... @alcoholireland.ie
September 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The delay to Ireland's health warning labels will mean real people are diagnosed with real cancers while not being given the right information on labels.
We discussed this in our recent podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-... @alcoholireland.ie
We discussed this in our recent podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-... @alcoholireland.ie
Labour MP Clive Betts asks if UK alcohol labelling regulations will include warnings about alcohol and cancer.
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social responds that: "at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to...🧵
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social responds that: "at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to...🧵
September 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Labour MP Clive Betts asks if UK alcohol labelling regulations will include warnings about alcohol and cancer.
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social responds that: "at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to...🧵
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social responds that: "at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to...🧵
Successive cuts and freezes to alcohol duty have cost the Treasury £28.6 billion since 2013.
That’s money that could have funded vital public services – instead, alcohol has become ever cheaper, and deaths have risen.
www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
That’s money that could have funded vital public services – instead, alcohol has become ever cheaper, and deaths have risen.
www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
September 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Successive cuts and freezes to alcohol duty have cost the Treasury £28.6 billion since 2013.
That’s money that could have funded vital public services – instead, alcohol has become ever cheaper, and deaths have risen.
www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
That’s money that could have funded vital public services – instead, alcohol has become ever cheaper, and deaths have risen.
www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Awareness that alcohol causes cancer is low even among breast cancer survivors.
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond where we discussed Ireland's labelling delays and the 10 Year Health Plan failures🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-...
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond where we discussed Ireland's labelling delays and the 10 Year Health Plan failures🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-...
September 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Awareness that alcohol causes cancer is low even among breast cancer survivors.
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond where we discussed Ireland's labelling delays and the 10 Year Health Plan failures🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-...
🎙️Listen to our latest podcast with Jem Roberts and Tabbin Almond where we discussed Ireland's labelling delays and the 10 Year Health Plan failures🎙️
Links: www.ias.org.uk/podcast/the-...
Lots of misinformation in the media about how much whisky is taxed – pushed by the Scotch Whisky Association to lobby for tax cuts.
❌ Claim: “75% of a bottle of whisky is tax.”
✅ Reality: Duty is a fixed charge per litre of alcohol. All 70cl bottles at 40% pay £9.18 in duty (🧵)
❌ Claim: “75% of a bottle of whisky is tax.”
✅ Reality: Duty is a fixed charge per litre of alcohol. All 70cl bottles at 40% pay £9.18 in duty (🧵)
September 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Lots of misinformation in the media about how much whisky is taxed – pushed by the Scotch Whisky Association to lobby for tax cuts.
❌ Claim: “75% of a bottle of whisky is tax.”
✅ Reality: Duty is a fixed charge per litre of alcohol. All 70cl bottles at 40% pay £9.18 in duty (🧵)
❌ Claim: “75% of a bottle of whisky is tax.”
✅ Reality: Duty is a fixed charge per litre of alcohol. All 70cl bottles at 40% pay £9.18 in duty (🧵)
...alcohol, while protecting draught relief, would help pubs and public health.
The only time in recent history where the gap in affordability between pub and supermarket alcohol hasn't been widening was when duty rates were raised by 2% above inflation.
Labour should reintroduce the escalator.
The only time in recent history where the gap in affordability between pub and supermarket alcohol hasn't been widening was when duty rates were raised by 2% above inflation.
Labour should reintroduce the escalator.
September 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
...alcohol, while protecting draught relief, would help pubs and public health.
The only time in recent history where the gap in affordability between pub and supermarket alcohol hasn't been widening was when duty rates were raised by 2% above inflation.
Labour should reintroduce the escalator.
The only time in recent history where the gap in affordability between pub and supermarket alcohol hasn't been widening was when duty rates were raised by 2% above inflation.
Labour should reintroduce the escalator.