The Institute of Alcohol Studies published its latest Alcohol Alert, covering Public opinion polls, Alcohol marketing, Urging government to deliver prevention, Alcohol industry lobbying and Irish labelling delays, and more.

Recent statistics from Scotland offer a rare glimpse of hope in the UK’s battle against alcohol-related deaths, yet experts warn that alcohol industry lobbying is threatening to undermine hard-won progress across the nation.

Scotland Shows Prevention Works

The National Records of Scotland revealed that alcohol-specific deaths dropped by 7% in 2024, with 1,185 deaths recorded compared to 1,277 the previous year. The age-standardised mortality rate fell to 20.9 deaths per 100,000 people, the lowest annual figure since 2019. Dr Peter Rice, chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, credited Scotland’s well-planned alcohol strategy, noting that “harm from alcohol can be reduced by a well-planned alcohol strategy, but actions must be sustained and developed.”

However, the data exposes stark health inequalities. People in the most deprived areas face alcohol-specific death rates 4.5 times higher than those in the least deprived communities, highlighting how prevention efforts must address socioeconomic disparities to be truly effective.

Complex Picture Emerges Across England

The latest Chief Medical Officer’s report paints a complex picture of alcohol consumption patterns across England. While abstinence has increased since the mid-1990s, particularly among young people, death rates from alcohol continue to rise, especially among men. High-risk drinking has shifted from younger to older adults, a cohort effect likely to persist. Despite similar drinking levels across deprivation categories, more deprived areas suffer disproportionately higher alcohol-related death rates.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty emphasised that “addressing these disparities and inequalities has to be a major priority of public health and the NHS.”

Marketing Drives Consumption and Targets Youth

A rapid review by Public Health Scotland delivered compelling evidence that alcohol marketing significantly increases consumption and harm, particularly among children and young people. The research demonstrated that contrary to industry claims, marketing does not merely influence brand preference but drives overall consumption, attracts new drinkers, and specifically targets heavy drinkers.

Voluntary self-regulation has proven ineffective. Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, stated: “Children and young people have the right to a childhood free from alcohol marketing. The Scottish Government has stated time and again that they remain committed to protecting children and young people from alcohol marketing, but they are way behind the curve when it comes to action.”

Ireland’s Labelling Law Delayed by Industry Pressure

Meanwhile, Ireland’s groundbreaking alcohol labelling policy faces further delays until 2028, pushed back from the planned May 2026 implementation. Analysis of industry submissions to the European Commission revealed strategic alcohol industry lobbying tactics, with alcohol companies claiming lack of evidence, warning of economic impacts, and positioning themselves as responsible public health actors.

The analysis suggests that alcohol industry lobbying strategically adapts arguments to varying institutional settings, demonstrating political dexterity that reinforces barriers to policy progress.

Health Leaders Issue Stark Warning

Chief executives from the Health Foundation and the King’s Fund have issued a stark warning to the Government: accelerate action on prevention or risk further decline in public health. Sarah Woolnough and Jennifer Dixon described how alcohol industry lobbying from food and alcohol firms continues to weaken evidence-based policies, with vested interests opposing interventions that would improve population health.

They called for bold interventions including raising alcohol taxes, restricting marketing, and a cross-government 10-year plan for rebuilding the nation’s health. The absence of key measures like minimum unit pricing remains conspicuous in recent government strategies, which have focused narrowly on the NHS rather than broader determinants of health.

The No-and-Low Alcohol Question

The Government’s recent 10 Year Health Plan included ambitions to support the no- and low-alcohol market as part of harm reduction efforts. Research from the University of Sheffield found that one in three adults tried alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks in the past year, with risky drinkers more likely to purchase them regularly. However, 96% of households buying these products also purchased alcoholic drinks, suggesting they are used alongside rather than instead of alcohol.

Professor John Holmes warned that pricing disparities, with alcohol-free beers costing more than alcoholic versions, could limit benefits for deprived groups most at risk of alcohol-related harm. Researchers called for urgent investigation into whether these products genuinely reduce consumption.

Public Supports Action Despite Industry Opposition

Public opinion polling by Public First revealed that NHS quality ranks as the second most important issue facing the country, with most respondents linking NHS pressures to widespread use of health-harming products including alcohol. Analysis by Action on Smoking and Health found that backing for practical health measures frequently crosses ideological divides, suggesting public appetite for meaningful action.

The evidence is clear: comprehensive alcohol strategies work, as Scotland has demonstrated. Yet without courageous leadership to overcome alcohol industry lobbying and deliver evidence-based policies, the UK risks collapsing under the weight of preventable illnesses.

The question is no longer whether prevention works, but whether policymakers have the resolve to stand up to alcohol industry lobbying and implement what the evidence demands.

Source: dbrecoveryresources