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In this issue: Alcohol-free drinks are not the secret to cutting down, argues AR editor; How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms; Recently closed pubs could comfortably house all rough sleepers. And summer’s news highlights.

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In this issue: Alcohol-free drinks are not the secret to cutting down, argues AR editor; How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms; Recently closed pubs could comfortably house all rough sleepers. And summer’s news highlights.

Features

Opinion: Alcohol-free drinks are not the secret to cutting down

Opinion: Alcohol-free drinks are not the secret to cutting down:  Alcohol-free drinks mimicking alcoholic ones–and often also promoting alcohol brands–do not seem to be very helpful in reducing or eliminating alcohol intake, and may be counterproductive. We need to look beyond them. Read more

How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms

How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms: The digital world is bringing new, more powerful marketing methods. Jem Roberts from the Institute of Alcohol Studies discusses how they can lead to alcohol harms and the potential for tackling these harms.  

How the digital world amplifies alcohol harms

Recently closed pubs could comfortably house all rough sleepers:  The space left by pub closures over the last five years could provide comfortable homes for England’s record number of rough sleepers four times over, according to a back-of-an-envelope Alcohol Review calculation. 

Recently closed pubs could comfortably house all rough sleepers

News highlights (Get live updates)

Germany to end “supervised drinking” for teenagers: “Germany’s federal government has agreed to end the practice of ‘supervised drinking’, which currently allows 14 and 15-year-olds to drink wine and beer [in public places or restaurant] while being overseen by a responsible adult.” The move to end the practice of “begleitetes Trinken” will now be debated by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.  Read more

Nigeria’s sachet producers comply under threat of shutdown: Nigeria’s alcohol regulator appears to be making headway having told alcohol sachet producers to recall their products or risk being shut down. Read more

“No safe level” message queried: “‘No safe level’ messaging may help to challenge personal exceptionalism biases that underpin low problem recognition amongst heavier drinkers, it may also evoke defensive processing responses that limit its effectiveness for promoting behaviour change,” found a new study. Read more 

Heavy alcohol drinking rose over a third among Americans aged 50-64: “While younger [US] adults reduced alcohol consumption, adults ages 50-64 continued to drink at rates higher than before the pandemic. From 2018 to 2024, any alcohol use in this age group increased by nearly 4%, while heavy drinking increased by more than 36%.” Read more

Switching agriculture from alcohol could end hunger: “Only 2.1% of American alcohol-related crops would need to be converted to [food production] to eliminate global hunger-related mortality entirely.” Read more

Wanting alcohol associated with problems: “…Wanting was more strongly associated with drinking motivations than liking,” found a new study published in Nature. AR: This is consistent with a form of hedonism Alcohol Review has long advocated in which we stick to things we like, rather than things we want without liking. Read more

Study warns against promoting alcohol-free products to young and vulnerable people:  Alcohol-free drinks do not help people reduce their alcohol intake, found a recent study of thousands of students, meaning we should be wary of promoting them. Read more

South Australia regulates delivery: “An Aussie state [South Australia] has passed tough new rules on alcohol following a major inquiry into domestic violence… The move puts an end to 24-hour alcohol delivery and introduces a compulsory two-hour cooling off period before any orders can be fulfilled.” Read more

Youtube targeting to start: “Alcohol brands will be able to use personalised targeting on YouTube starting October 30th…,” said Google. It will not be allowed in Egypt, India, Indonesia and Poland under the October update, as will some targeting criteria. Read more

Hospital intervention evidence weak: There is “limited evidence that hospital-based interventions can help people with alcohol use disorder connect with outpatient treatment after they leave the hospital”, according to a research review. Read more

Nigerian alcohol-harm NGO welcomes new national policy: A Nigerian alcohol harm reduction NGO welcomed thel aunch the Nigeria Alcohol Policy and its Multisectoral Implementation Plan (2026–2030) yesterday. Read more

Large jump in alcohol-free recreation spending: “In the [US] monthly retail sales report, spending at sporting goods, hobby, musical instruments and book stores rose 15% in June from a year earlier… To compensate for the cost [of her hobbies], Szyfer rarely goes to bars and clubs, spends little on alcohol and has pulled back on restaurants and live entertainment.” Read more

Carlsberg’s alcohol-free beer sales remain small and insignificant: Carlsberg’s half-year results highlighted growth in sales of alcohol-free beer, while ignoring the tiny contribution it makes to the brewing giant’s sales, leading to headlines exaggerating its impact. Read more

Uganda restricts alcohol opening times: “The government [of Uganda] has directed bars and malwa joints [serving a traditional beer] to open after 3pm on working days while tightening controls on underage drinking, betting and local government accountability.” Read more

Ireland’s alcohol health warning labels show persuasive potential: Two-thirds of the people who have noticed new health warning labels on alcohol products in Ireland said the labels made them think about the risks of alcohol consumption, a new WHO-backed study found. A quarter said the labels made them buy less or no alcohol during a shopping trip. Read more

Mamdani’s state-run supermarkets to be alcohol free: “Mayor Zohran Mamandi wants his city-owned grocery stores to focus on healthy eating — and ban the sale of booze and tobacco, new documents show,” says the New York Post, drawing on a request for tenders issued on July 27th. Read more

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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 ■

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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.

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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

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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.

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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]
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