Alcohol Focus Scotland

07/10/2026

Support our work to create a Scotland where alcohol is no longer a major cause of harm

You can support us with either a one off or regular donation 💌

https://www.justgiving.com/alcohol-focus-scotland

07/10/2026

Rates of among the under 50s are increasing globally

Alcohol is responsible for 1 in 8 breast cancers in women in Scotland aged between 35-64.

Any strategy to reduce breast cancer in Scotland needs to dovetail with efforts to reduce drinking across the population.

Alcohol companies routinely target women with gendered advertising that fuels drinking - whilst failing to properly warn women of the risk of breast cancer.

We'd like to see restrictions on alcohol advertising and mandatory health warning labels so that consumers can make informed choices about their health.

Experts looking at UK, US and Dutch data found ‘significant increases’ in early onset cases of seven cancers, prompting warnings about lifestyle choices

06/10/2026

October is

1,000 women die from alcohol each year in Scotland, with alcohol responsible for 1 in 8 deaths from breast cancer amongst 35–64-year-olds.

Studies suggest that including health warnings on alcohol labels would raise awareness of health risks and may encourage reduced consumption. Specific warnings, such as for cancer, were found to be particularly effective.

05/10/2026

Scotland's first ever Alcohol Action Day will take place on Thursday 12 November 2026!

We're inviting you to join us in making this first Alcohol Action Day a success. Our theme for 2026 is Support: whatever that might mean to you. 🤝

Together, we can:
➡️ Raise awareness of the scale and negative impact of alcohol in Scotland.
➡️ Shine a spotlight on the vital work being done to support individuals, families and communities.
➡️ Strengthen the call for action so that alcohol remains a priority for decision-makers

Sign up for campaign updates, access to resources and communications toolkits, and ideas for how your organisation can get involved🖊️

https://lnkd.in/eUqZSPSa

02/10/2026

Steph, a person in recovery from an alcohol problem, gives his views on and advertising.

Steph says he can still feel tempted by the constant bombardment of alcohol ads - just like many of those we spoke to in our new report 'Recovery Community Perspectives: Alcohol Marketing Restrictions'.

Steph, along with many of those featured in our report back taking action to limit the exposure of people in recovery to alcohol advertising.

Read our report 🔽

https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/resources/Recovery-Community-Perspectives-Alcohol-Marketing-Restrictions.pdf

01/10/2026

**AFS Vacancy**

Senior Policy Coordinator

We are seeking a skilled policy professional to join our passionate team. You will have a varied and challenging role, providing policy and research support across a number of policy areas, with an initial focus on alcohol marketing and control on the sale of alcohol.

Your excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills will be vital in ensuring we meet our goal of effecting policy change in Scotland, to reduce alcohol harm and improve lives.

Find out more and apply 🔽

https://lnkd.in/eBGknZzt

Flexible and hybrid working: The normal place of work is 166 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2LW, however, AFS encourages flexible and hybrid working to meet the needs of the post and to accommodate the post-holder.

30/09/2026

We've just published our eFocus newsletter for September 2026!

Check it out for the latest news, events, research and other updates from across the alcohol sector.

- https://mailchi.mp/366574aad594/alcohol-focus-scotland-latest-june-13889695

30/09/2026

Today, on the final day of , we publish a new report on the views of people in recovery on restrictions

People in recovery say that alcohol advertising is triggering and puts them at risk of relapse. They strongly support a wide range of potential restrictions - including that local authorities use their powers to bring about change.

People with lived experience of alcohol harm have called for a new approach to alcohol advertising and marketing, saying that its ubiquity acts as a potential trigger that puts them at risk of relapse. In a new report published by Alcohol Focus Scotland at the end of Recovery Month 2026, outdoor alc...

29/09/2026

Our latest 'In Focus: AFS CEO Blog' is out.

This month Carolyn Lochhead is asking - Why do we need an Alcohol Action Day for Scotland?

“Delighted”. It’s a word I challenge myself never to use. If you regularly share news on social media, as I do, then you’ll know it’s the adjective we all tend to reach for – but it can’t always be true. If you took my LinkedIn feed literally, you’d believe everyone is wildly thrille...

28/09/2026

Dr Patricia Jackson OBE speaks about the costs of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), how we could fund diagnosis, treatment and support through alcohol taxes and the return on investment that could bring.