newsletter

Get more from this service: Register now for early access content, to disseminate your work at AR2026 and AR2027 and to support dedicated alcohol harm journalism. Read testimonials.
Watch sessions on AI and alcohol harm insights + AR Extra sessions on alcohol and violence and heart health, and more.
Receive this monthly highlights newsletter
Get real-time updates

In this issue: Progress “inadequate”, says WHO cancer report; Auckland policy encouraging; Nigeria sachet crackdown exposes large-scale lawbreaking; Pubs host World Cup violence; Kenya slashes spirits tax; Poland and Germany plan tax rises. Watch interviews on a call for alcohol giveaway consent and alcohol distress.

News

Progress on alcohol inadequate and uneven, says WHO report: There has been “inadequate, uneven progress” in the implementation of the WHO’s flagship SAFER alcohol harm reduction initiative, especially in low- and middle-income countries, a WHO report on cancer said month week, with “accelerated efforts” needed to reach 2030 targets. Read more

Auckland policy results “extremely encouraging”: “The first year of Auckland’s Local Alcohol Policy has seen: A 7% drop in reported alcohol-related harm incidents in 2025 compared with 2024; Fewer alcohol-related incidents reported during late-night hours and in the city centre; Early signs of fewer alcohol-related emergency department presentations; …” The results are “extremely encouraging”, said Auckland Council. Read more

Nigeria sachet crackdown exposes large-scale lawbreaking: “Investigations [in Nigeria] revealed that factories traced to banned products circulating in markets were actively producing the alcoholic beverages, adding that the items were not old stock as claimed by some operators.” The enforcement agencies sealed three factories in Ogun state. Read more

Two-fifths of the UK’s World Cup violent incidents involved pubs: Over two-fifths of the UK’s record number of violent incidents during the World Cup took place on licensed premises, according to new figures. At the same time the UK government under its new leader Andy Burnham gave pubs a special tax break. As AR discovered, the former Manchester mayor’s carefully curated image revolves around pubs and pints, while his closest political allies have strong alcohol business ties. At the same time Manchester has an alcohol policy drawing on WHO’s template. The right-wing populist Reform party and alcohol business interests used this policy to concoct a story saying Burnham poses a threat to pubs. Read more 

Nearly 30% of World Cup player awards done minus alcohol branding: 29 of the 102 World Cup player of the match awards were made without beer branding, including awards to two prominent non-Muslim players, three to Kylian Mbappé and one to Virgil van Dijk. But FIFA still appears to discriminate against non-religious players. Read more; Comment
German railways alcohol ban to curb violence: Germany’s Deutsche Bahn railway plans to enforce a ban on alcohol at all 5,400 train stations in Germany by October 15th, 2026 in an effort to curb violence. Read more 

Kenya to slash spirits tax 84%: To the disappointment of alcohol harm experts Kenya’s government is poised to slash tax on spirits by 84%, cutting it from 500 shillings ($3.9) per litre to 80 shillings. Read more; Comment

German tax rise plans: “The German government plans to raise the tax on alcoholic spirits by 20% from the beginning of next year with the aim of bringing in additional annual revenue of €455m ($520m) for the federal budget, according to legislation drafted by the Finance Ministry.” Read more; Comment/share

WHO softens guidance on alcohol and cognitive impairment: “To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, interventions aimed at reducing or ceasing hazardous and harmful drinking (including providing support to people with alcohol dependence) may be offered to adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment,” says the second version of guidance from the World Health Organisation. Read on

“Poland plans to raise 18bn zloty ($4.8bn) over the next decade from higher excise duty on alcohol as the government is searching for new sources of funding for the strained public healthcare system, according to the Finance Ministry.” (See draft) Read more; Comment

Features

Call for alcohol giveaway consent

Call for full giveaway consent: Companies can deliver alcohol products as giveaways without consent in the UK, ignoring the preferences of a wide range of people who prefer to avoid alcohol. Samantha Morgan’s Not Everyone Drinks campaign aims to change this. Watch video ■

Register now – Early access, impactful dissemination and support dedicated alcohol harm journalism. Read testimonials

In this issue: Ireland guidance report; UK delivery promise; Sachet enforcement plan; Kenyan tax slashed. AR interviews on alcohol brain impact, deliveries, nolos, tackling youth addictions and alcohol distress.

AR2026 update: Watch full AI and alcohol harm sessions

Be among the first to watch the full public release of AR2026’s live online sessions on AI and alcohol harm, addressing its potential in ad monitoring and information delivery. You can also watch the latest AR2026 Extra sessions and contribute your own.

News

Risk equality: There is a “substantial amount of risk” for people drinking lower levels of alcohol, according to a new report from Ireland’s Health Information and Quality Authority, with “minimal” difference in risk between sexes. Comment

Delivery promise: The UK said last month it would ”act where necessary to protect public safety” on alcohol delivery from online platforms. The roundtable mentioned in AR’s piece was on June 16th, with NGO Alcohol Change in attendance. You can watch a video interview touching on the campaign.

Sachet forth: Nigeria’s regulator is planning to begin enforcing its ban on sachet alcohol from the marketplaces, having initially clamped down on manufacturing. Comment

Tax slashed: Kenya’s government has slashed tax on spirits by 84%, cutting it from 500 shillings ($3.9) per litre to 80. Comment

New cancer: Alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer have a “dose-response risk relationship”, according to new research from from University of Victoria.  Pancreatic cancer is not among the seven cancers the WHO says are directly caused by alcohol consumption. Comment

Cancer advice: It is better to not drink alcohol at all rather than drink in moderation to prevent cancer, said Japan’s National Cancer Centre in an update to its advice at the start of June. Comment

VAT subsidy: The UK hospitality industry’s proposal of a VAT cut from 20% to 10% to save pubs and eateries would in reality be a “hugely expensive subsidy” for big business, according to tax expert Dan Neidle’. Comment

AR interviews (Await videos)

🎥 Study hints at alcohol’s low dose brain impact [full release]
Higher levels of alcohol consumption are associated with brain diseases and dysfunction, but there is little evidence of what happens at levels commonly thought of as low risk. A recent paper looked to narrow this gap with a small-sample study. Alcohol Review caught up with one of the authors, Professor Timothy Durazzo of Stanford University. Comment

🎥 Deaths, deliveries and nolos [full release]
Online alcohol delivery is thought to amplify the already increased risks of drinking alcohol at home. Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, outlines the charity’s campaign for tighter controls, while also reflecting on the UK’s elevated alcohol death toll and new research on alcohol-free drinks.

🎥 Tackling alcohol distress [trailer]
Simon Bratt, a senior lecturer at Liverpool Hope University and author of the Layered Care substack, explains why mental health and alcohol services need to be integrated to be effective in tackling problematic drinking. 

🎥 Dismantling the youth addiction economy [trailer]
Social media, vapes, gambling, dating sites and porn all now add to the mix of products which can undermine young people’s lives, along with alcohol. Regulation and making real friends are the way to put it right, says Joe Woof of Society Inside

Message

Alcohol and humour
“Alcohol may not make something objectively funnier, but it can definitely change the threshold for finding it funny,” says neuroscience researcher Paula Korczynska. Disinhibition can also be found through things like dancing and playing games.

Register now – Early access, impactful dissemination and support dedicated alcohol harm journalism. Read testimonials ■

Share your work at AR2026 Extra, full content access, join AR2027 live

In this issue: AR2026 Extra update. Nolos, no help; New screening method; Liver disease lowballed; How parents can do better; NYC cancer warning; Warning support; Ad ban effective. Opinion: Be wary of GLP-1 messaging. Message: Avoid alcohol at home

AR2026 Extra update

Alcohol is a major factor in gender-based violence, explains Sheila Gilheany of Alcohol Action Ireland, along with policies to tackle the problem. Watch AR2026’s live session on Alcohol and AI trailer and early release, for those registered with AR. Join AR2026 Extra

News

Nolos, no help: Drinks made as no- and low-alcohol alternatives to alcoholic drinks, or “nolos”, seem to play little role in the alcohol consumption of young Brits, found new research. There is no solid evidence of any significant effect for any other age group either. Share/comment

🎥 New screening method: Canadian experts this week proposed a new “timesaving and pragmatic approach” to alcohol screening, which they say is currently dysfunctional (method pictured). Watch the trailer, early release or await regular release of Alcohol Review’s interview  with Professor Evan Wood, one of the authors: Share/comment 

🎥 Liver disease lowballed: New research shows a dramatic underestimation of liver disease that is worsened by alcohol consumption, according to new research. Professor Zobair Younossi of Georgetown University explained the details to Alcohol Review. Share/Comment

🎥 How parents can do better: Parents should aim to shape household norms so that “alcohol is less central, less emotionally loaded and less available” to minimise harm to their children, according to new research. Alcohol Review found out more. Share/comment

Cancer warning: New York City launched a month-long campaign warning that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk. “To some our data may be a buzzkill, but it’s actually their buzz that can kill,” said the health commissioner. Share/comment 

Warning support: New alcohol warnings focussed on alcohol causing cancer, dementia, liver disease and hypertension are promising, according to a new study. Share/comment 

Ad ban effective: The full ban implemented in Lithuania in 2018 was associated with a 35% reduction in the mean frequency of intoxication among adolescents in 2019, compared with a less restrictive statutory control for some alcoholic beverages. Share/comment

Walker unoriginal: Alcohol giant Diageo is trying to trademark an alcohol-free variant of its Johnnie Walker whisky, the Grocer reports. It would be the UK’s first alcohol-free whisky spinoff, but it would not be the first time an alcohol-free sub-brand was used to advertise an alcoholic main brand. Share/comment

Negative verdict: A German court today banned a start-up from selling alcohol-free drinks using slogans containing the names of alcohol products, including “This is not rum,” “This is not whiskey” and “This is not gin”. Share/comment

Feature

Opinion: Be wary of GLP-1 messaging: People working to reduce alcohol harm may feel like celebrating the potential of GLP-1 diet drugs to help reduce alcohol consumption, but we should be wary of taking such findings at face value, argues AR editor Phil Cain. Share/comment

Message

Avoid alcohol at home: Our homes are among the riskiest places for alcohol harm, so why not do something about it? Share/comment

Share your work at AR2026 Extra, full content access, join AR2027 live ■

Join AR2026 on Thursday, disseminate your work in AR2026 Extra, and receive the full benefits

In this issue: Lobbying review: NZ deregulation; Strange stats; US deaths: Bingeing report; Sex differences; Cancer awareness; Age verification: Royal abstinence. Plus marketing to women and an AR message on bingeing

AR2026: Share your work and join the live discussion
Register now to take advantage of a uniquely sustainable, accessible and efficient global engagement platform live. Take part in an exciting online discussion on alcohol harm and artificial intelligence Thursday March 26th; and disseminate your work to a highly-engaged global audience at AR2026 Extra. Please, check out last year’s event and secure your place.

News

Lobbying review: The UK will begin a review of lobbying rules, which critics say allow alcohol and other harmful product producers—and other narrow interests—undue influence over government policy. The move was widely praised by pro-democracy campaigners. The commission will look at declarations of ministers’ and officials’ financial interests; integrity data, including the lobbying consultant register; and rules intended to stop politicians and officials being swayed by future appointments. The move came in a letter from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the chair of the recently created Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers. Comment

NZ deregulation: The New Zealand government plans to make sweeping reductions in the level of alcohol regulation. Among the critics of its proposals are Maori health organisations Ki Tua o Matariki and Hapai Te Hauora. Comment

Strange stats: The UK statistical office this month added alcohol-free beer to the list of goods used to track inflation to “represent an uncovered area of the alcohol market”. This is despite the fact there being no solid evidence alcohol-free beer replaces alcoholic products. Comment

US deaths: US deaths directly related to alcohol fell 4% last year compared to the year before, but remained 15% above pre-pandemic levels, according to early provisional full-year figures from the CDC. Comment

Bingeing report: Over half of all alcohol consumption is during binge drinking occasions, and the proportion is higher in some other countries, said a new Swedish report on binge drinking. And still it is a widely overlooked risk. Comment

Sex differences: Male and female brains show different reactions to stress and alcohol, possibly because central stress mechanisms in the brain are organised differently. Comment

Cancer awareness: Americans’ awareness of the link between drinking alcohol and elevated cancer risk remains unchanged since February 2025, despite its omission from the new US dietary guidelines. Comment

Age verification: The Greek government launched a new framework to prevent the sale of alcohol products to minors through the use of digital age verification tools. Comment

Tax proposal: A proposal to collect millions of dollars in from alcohol products in Colorado while preventing alcohol harm fell at committee stage, despite eloquent arguments for it. Comment

Royal abstinence: Kate Middleton, princess of Wales, said she has not “had much” alcohol since she received a cancer diagnosis. This sparked speculation and one anonymously sourced report that she is attempting to reduce the risk of a relapse. The report triggered others to report that some say Princess Anne does not drink alcohol, while disgraced former prince Andrew once said the same of himself. Comment

Delayed impact: Negative cognitive effects start to show up in middle-age—even after long periods of total abstinence—when mice self-medicate for stress in early adulthood, a study found. Comment

Betting boosts bingeing: The legalisation of online sports betting in the US has increased binge drinking frequency-at the intensive margin among young men by approximately 10%, according to a new study. Comment

Gen-Z binges: Binge drinking rates among gen Z in the UK have risen sharply since they were teenagers. Nearly a third of the now 23-year olds said binged at least once a month, up from 10% at age 17. Comment

Features

How glam, wellness, empowerment and escapism associations sell alcohol to women: Marketing associates alcohol with hyperfemininity, sexual glamour, wellness, strength and escapism, found researchers from Torrens University Australia. The impression is misleading, even if some women see through it. Comment

Interview: Crossing paths with Soberistas founder Lucy Rocca

Message

Bingeing is an overlooked risk: Avoiding the significant risks of alcohol bingeing means never drinking more than 75ml of alcohol on any one occasion, or around three beers, something that may be challenging.

Join AR2026 on Thursday, disseminate your work in AR2026 Extra, and receive the full benefits ■

Join the full newsletter, present and discuss live at AR2026

In this issue: Effective policy absent from cancer plan; Industry data shows no-los dwarfed; Ghana bans alcohol-stimulant mixers; South African taxes frozen; LGB+ at higher harm risk; Influencers influence, and more

AR2026: Share your work and join the live discussion
Register now to take advantage of a uniquely sustainable, accessible and efficient global engagement platform live. Take part in an exciting online discussion on alcohol harm and artificial intelligence on March 26th; and disseminate your work to a highly-engaged global audience. Please, check out last year’s event and secure your place.

News

Cancer plan critique: Experts welcomed a re-commitment to alcohol health warning labels in a new cancer plan for England this week, but highlighted the absence of evidence-based policies. Instead the plan looks to the unproven merits of lo-no drinks. [Comment/share]

No-los dwarfed: A new alcohol industry forecast shows there is little chance of alcohol-free drinks reducing global alcohol consumption, which is an order of magnitude bigger with little evidence of erosion from alcohol-frees (see chart). [Comment/share]

Stimulant mixer ban: Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority this week ordered the immediate removal of drinks containing a mix of alcohol and stimulants, like caffeine, ginseng and guarana from the Ghanaian market, citing growing public health concerns. [Comment/share]

Sachet clarification: Nigeria’s federal health ministry told the High Court that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is fully empowered by law to enforce the ban on the production and sale of alcohol sachets. The statement follows a month of confusion and protest over the introduction of the long delayed ban. [Comment/share]

South African tax: South Africa’s Budget this week proposed increasing the tax in line with alcohol, meaning it is the same in real terms. The alcohol industry was relieved having feared there might be a genuine increase. [Comment/share] 

LGB+ risk: The risk of death directly attributable to alcohol among people identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual was 1.8 times higher than among straight or heterosexual people, according to UK government statistics. [Comment/share]

Influencers influence: Exposure to alcohol-promoting social media content was associated with a desire to drink among young people, leading researchers to conclude “influencers may contribute to normalisation of alcohol consumption among young people”. [Comment/share] Another study found alcohol ads shape young people’s attitudes. [Comment/share]

Brands extended: Teenagers are unable to distinguish between non-alcoholic products and traditional alcoholic beverages when these are promoted through sports sponsorship, found a new study. [Comment/share]

Youth protection call: “Alcohol marketing ending up on under-18s’ screens via influencers and social media sponsorship is notably absent from the agenda,” said the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems in response to the UK government’s plans to protect children online. [Comment/share]

Lobbying revealed: A new trove of documents revealed late last month showed how the alcohol industry aggressively campaigned for the UK government to drop alcohol marketing restrictions from its flagship health plan last year, as it did. [Comment/share]
Join the full newsletter, present and discuss live at AR2026 ■

Read original

Join newsletter and events directly or on Substack

In this issue: Scant affordability progress; US deaths surge on; Guidelines skip specifics; No-lo scrutiny call; Alcohol-free access; UK impact honours; Alcohol-free health minister. Opinion: Put alternative activities above alternative drinks

Join AR2026: Register now to participate in a unique event to underpin global efforts to reduce alcohol harm. Live online sessions on March 26th will look at Alcohol and artificial intelligence, while impactful video sessions spotlight all kinds of cutting-edge research, advocacy, ideas and innovations. Check out last year’s event, preview this year’s, and secure your place to discuss and present.

News

Scant affordability progress: Alcohol products were as affordable or became more affordable in most countries over the last few years, when evidence shows that reducing affordability is a crucial step to curbing alcohol harm, found a WHO report released yesterday. Share and discuss

US deaths surge on: US deaths directly attributable to alcohol are likely to have been at least 11% above the pre-pandemic level last year, extrapolating provisional figures from the CDC. Provisional totals tend to increase over time. Share and discuss

Specifics skipped: The Trump administration last week advised Americans to “consume less alcohol for better overall health” while dropping specific low-risk amounts from its guidance after 35 years. Alcohol harm experts had recommended the low-risk amount should be halved for men. Share and discuss

No-lo scrutiny call: “We should not take market-led solutions to public health problems at face value,” wrote a group of prominent alcohol harm researchers this week. And we should discount no-los as a solution until there’s evidence, argues AR. Share and discuss

Alcohol-free access: Separately the UK government said it will “explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages”. This may include prohibiting sales to under-18s. Share and discuss

UK impact honours:The UK’s New Year’s Honours list today recognised six people working to reduce the impact of alcohol harm, a former frontbench Labour MP, a family judge and four public health directors. Share and discuss

Alcohol free health minister: Luxembourg’s health minister defended the government’s endorsement of the Dry January, having given up alcohol on taking the job. Share and discuss

Feature

Cutting down? Put alternative activities above alternative drinks

Alcohol-free drinks will not fill the gap left by omitting alcohol, so we should look to alternative activities instead. Share and discuss

Join newsletter and events directly or on Substack ■