Alcohol News - 48/2025

The Conversation - Men’s drinking harms women and children, and the impact is worst in poorer countries
Drinking alcohol is known to be harmful to people’s health. It’s also known to be harmful in other ways.
https://theconversation.com/mens-drinking-harms-women-and-children-and-the-impact-is-worst-in-poorer-countries-269618

ABC News (Australia) - Calls for states to change alcohol laws ahead of women’s ministers meeting
States and territories must answer for being too slow to amend alcohol regulations at today's women's ministers meeting, family and sexual violence prevention advocates say.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-28/alcohol-delivery-violence-against-women-children-ministers/106075170

The Conversation - 8 ways to drink less during the silly season
December is a perfect storm for anyone trying to cut back on drinking. Between end-of-year deadlines, work parties, family gatherings and school events, alcohol is suddenly everywhere.
https://theconversation.com/8-ways-to-drink-less-during-the-silly-season-270298

Radio Prague International (Czechia) - Czechia rolls out new screening to tackle rising alcohol and addiction risks
Czechia consistently ranks among the heaviest-drinking countries in Europe. A new addictology screening program aims to identify risky alcohol and tobacco use sooner and guide people to help before long-term harm develops.
https://english.radio.cz/czechia-rolls-out-new-screening-tackle-rising-alcohol-and-addiction-risks-8870025

The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Blood-alcohol threshold lowered in province surrounding Brussels
Starting tomorrow, prosecutors from Leuven and Halle-Vilvoorde (Flemish Brabant) will lower the blood alcohol limit required for immediate driving licence suspension to 0.35 g/l.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/1857271/blood-alcohol-threshold-lowered-in-province-surrounding-brussels

France 24 - Santé! A look at the rising popularity of non-alcoholic drinks
In this edition of Entre Nous, we look at the rising popularity of non-alcoholic drinks. Once reserved for Dry January or other detox moments, alcohol-free beer, wine and mocktails are becoming more of a lifestyle choice, particularly for members of Gen Z.
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/entre-nous/20251127-sante-a-look-at-the-rising-popularity-of-non-alcoholic-drinks

IAS Blog - Zero-alcohol products: a tool for moderation or a tool for growth?
Zero-alcohol products, which taste and appear as common alcoholic beverages but contain little or no alcohol, have become an increasingly popular choice. Recent findings suggest around a third of adults in Great Britain have at least tried them, with similar findings observed in a survey of Australian teenagers.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2025/11/26/zero-alcohol-products-a-tool-for-moderation-or-a-tool-for-growth/

IAS Blog (UK) - Alcohol duty to increase in line with inflation
At today’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that alcohol duty rates will be increased, to keep them in line with inflation.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/alcohol-duty-to-increase-in-line-with-inflation/

Movendi - Confronting the Commercial Drivers of Gendered Violence: Alcohol Policy as a Catalyst for Women’s Rights
Advancing women’s rights and safety means listening to the evidence and to the voices of women and communities who are experiencing the harm and are calling for action on alcohol harm and the practices of the alcohol industry.
https://movendi.ngo/newsletters/confronting-the-commercial-drivers-of-gendered-violence-alcohol-policy-as-a-catalyst-for-womens-rights/

Länderfokus (EU) - EU pushes for alcohol-free driving
The rules on drinking and driving vary across the EU. Denmark is lowering the tolerance limit and the Commission is planning a zero-alcohol regulation.
https://www.treffpunkteuropa.de/eu-pushes-for-alcohol-free-driving?lang=fr

YLE (Finland) - Booze delivered to your door in Finland? Not anytime soon
Handling of a controversial government bill regarding online alcohol sales and home delivery has been postponed until next year.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20196588

NordAN (Norway) - 6 in 10 have experienced drunk colleagues at the Christmas party
Christmas party season is well underway, and the alcohol-awareness organisation Av-og-til has a clear message. “The Christmas party is not the event where you should make a fool of yourself,” says Secretary General Ragnhild Kaski.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/6-in-10-have-experienced-drunk-colleagues-at-the-christmas-party

Alcohol Awareness (UK) - #LetsTalkAddiction this National Addiction Awareness Week 2025
The UK’s leading addiction campaign, Taking Action On Addiction, begins its 2025 week of action on 23 November. Created by the Forward Trust and launched by their Royal Patron, The Princess of Wales, the campaign is focused on getting the nation to talk about addiction.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2025/11/24/letstalkaddiction-this-national-addiction-awareness-week-2025/

FASD News - 47/2025

Globalization and Health - Do alcohol industry-funded organisations act to correct misinformation? A qualitative study of pregnancy and infant health content following independent analysis
Following independent public health analysis of their informational outputs, misinformation about pregnancy and infant health remains present on alcohol industry-funded websites. Warnings to the public to avoid alcohol industry-funded information sources should form an essential part of the global effort to tackle health misinformation.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-025-01125-4

Contemporary OB/GYN (USA) - 5% of people in the US have FASD and doctors must change how they diagnose it
Rajesh Miranda, PhD, explains how 5% of people have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/shorts/5-of-people-in-the-us-have-fasd-and-doctors-must-change-how-they-diagnose-it

Children's National Hospital - Researchers advance new drug development for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are among the most common preventable causes of developmental disability, affecting an estimated 2% to 5% of children in the United States and Western Europe.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/researchers-advance-new-drug-development-for-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders/

Now Habersham (USA) - Ossoff backs bipartisan bill to expand support for children with disabilities
Georgia’s U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is backing a bipartisan push to expand federal support for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, citing gaps in services for affected families in Georgia and across the country.
https://nowhabersham.com/ossoff-backs-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-support-for-children-with-disabilities/

Times of India - Scientists warn: Even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can permanently damage a baby’s brain
In a breakthrough, researchers at Texas A&M University have found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause permanent brain damage in unborn babies.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/pregnancy/scientists-warn-even-small-amounts-of-alcohol-during-pregnancy-can-permanently-damage-a-babys-brain/articleshow/125079593.cms

RNZ (New Zealand) - Neurodivergent youth more likely to die before age of 25 than peers, study finds
Young people with a neurodevelopmental condition are five times more likely to die before the age of 25 than those without one, a study has found.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577955/neurodivergent-youth-more-likely-to-die-before-age-of-25-than-peers-study-finds

Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/188/3/191/T1

CanFASD - Removing barriers: an FASD-informed approach to substance use treatment
Each year, National Addictions Awareness Week highlights solutions that help address the harms related to alcohol and other drugs. From November 16–22, Canadians are invited to learn more about prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
https://canfasd.ca/2025/11/17/removing-barriers-an-fasd-informed-approach-to-substance-use-treatment/

 

VIDEOS
FARR (Foundation for Alcohol Related Research) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Behaviour Management
Welcome to the 5th video of our series, addressing key aspects related to FASD. In this video former FARR Researcher, Dr Jaco Louw discusses some general principles that can help with behavioural challenges faced by individuals living with FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpJ7BiMEoM

FASDSUCCESS - Mental Health & FASD: Hope, Healing, and What We Can Do | Dr. Jackie Pei
In this powerful conversation, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Jackie Pei, senior researcher and psychologist with CANFASD, to unpack one of the most important and misunderstood parts of FASD — mental health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czvcBaY5FeE

Health Nexus Santé - FASD, COVID-19, and Aggression
The webinar presents new research updates on child-to-parent aggression in the home. Speakers Maude Champagne and Lauri Cabral will present current initiatives aimed at responding to childhood aggression towards family members in the context of FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5-AAX-dvQ4

Health Nexus Santé - FASD and Sleep (English)
The reasons for sleep difficulties in children with FASD and the potential impact of poor sleep on the child and family will be highlighted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpemUOlLp_s

Health Nexus Santé - FASD and Animal Assisted Services
In this presentation, the CFAS' National Director/CEO Joanne Moss and Social Worker Azra Alibhai will review latest evidence about animal assisted services and how they can ease anxiety and stress for individuals with FASD or other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BdIjay2XGo

FASDSUCCESS - The Brain–Gut Connection & FASD | Dr. Tamara Bodnar on Microbiome Science
In this fascinating (and funny) episode, Jeff Noble talks with Dr. Tamara Bodnar from UBC about her pioneering research on the gut–brain axis in FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCaaMqiIPxU

CanFASD - Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025: Runner Up - An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD
"An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD” is a short film by Reinier deSmit, recognized as the Third Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrW5DEJTMTk

CanFASD - The Story of AFECT - CanFASD's Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team
The Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team (AFECT) was developed to make sure the voices of those with FASD are included in the research process. It is a group of adults with FASD across Canada who meet monthly with CanFASD members to talk about FASD research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUEficZnrM

CanFASD - Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025: Runner Up - Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD
"Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD" is a short film by FASD-Can, recognized as the Second Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference Film Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nciXP_i293Y

FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - FASD United Policy Forum - October 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghlmw3J_Rkk

PCA Families - PCAF Intro to FASD 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Sov6kE0eI

FASDSUCCESS - From Fires to Foundations with the Freemans
What if you could hear the same family one year apart and actually feel the shift from chaos to connection? In this powerful before-and-after episode, Jeff revisits Angela Freeman and her two kids, Ruby and Elias.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bzDv7pWeOI

Your Biggest Breakthrough - Adoption, FASD, & Faith: How Joel Sheagren Turned Family Struggles into a God-Given Mission
We’ve got an episode today that’s going to stop you in your tracks. You’re going to meet Joel Sheagren, an award-winning filmmaker whose story feels like a movie itself, only this one’s real, raw, and full of God’s fingerprints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlbdOwfPDc

Real Talk with Tina and Ann - Beyond Shame: Hearing “It’s Not Your Fault with RJ Formanek on Living with FASD part 2
We dig into life with FASD beyond labels: how shame warps identity, how routines protect mornings, and why late-blooming brains change everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2oCu6N_tDs

 

RESEARCH
University of Alberta - Mental Health Professionals' Competence and Current Practices Responding to Suicidality in Individuals with FASD
People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience elevated rates of mental health challenges compared to the general population. Of particular concern are the elevated rates of suicidality consistently reported among people with FASD.
https://ualberta.scholaris.ca/items/cb85f6aa-845f-4452-927c-eac2957152d2

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Renal and cardiovascular function in children with FASD: Potential links to food approach and avoidance behaviors
Together, these findings suggest that renal and cardiovascular function may be altered in children and adolescents with FASD, which may be linked to abnormal food-related behaviors and/or other clinical or demographic factors.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41243430/

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - The Families Moving Forward Connect Teacher Companion website: Development and initial pilot randomized trial of an FASD-informed resource for teachers
The FMF Connect Teacher Companion website is a feasible, acceptable FASD-informed resource for teachers.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70189

BMC Oral Health - Exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and potential role of oral health practitioners in FASD screening in South Africa
The findings reveal substantial knowledge gaps among South African OHPs regarding FASD, but also indicate strong interest and readiness to advance their knowledge.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-025-07017-8

Adoption & Fostering - Perspectives of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnoses in children: The experiences of adoptive parents in Scotland
Caring for a child with FASD brings significant challenges, often driven by shortcomings in professional knowledge and services. Parents described their futures as highly uncertain, with mental health, social support and financial wellbeing reported as being precarious.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/perspectives-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-diagnoses-in-chil/

Adoption Quarterly - Parenting Adopted Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Risk and Protective Factors
A higher prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been found among adopted children. This condition may pose significant challenges for their parents, potentially affecting their mental health.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10926755.2025.2583535

Česká Gynekologie - Determination of markers of ethyl alcohol consumption in pregnancy
This study confirms that EtG and EtS are reliable markers of ethanol exposure in meconium. However, we were unable to determine definitive cut off values for PAE based on these biomarkers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41170789/

Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Some Today, More Tomorrow: A Pilot Study on Delay Discounting in Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Results provide preliminary discounting rates that can serve as a point of reference for future research on reward processing in FASD. Results additionally demonstrate the heterogeneity of FASD presentations on a measure of delay discounting.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41252-025-00467-9

Developmental Neuroscience - Abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Placental Insufficiency in a Preclinical Model
While all areas analyzed were impacted by the prenatal insults, the striatum, which consists primarily of efferent pathways, appears more vulnerable to injury compared to the PFC.
https://karger.com/dne/article/doi/10.1159/000549504/939215/Abnormal-Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging-in-the-Medial

BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health - Role of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy in early-life child neurodevelopment: results of the Italian PHIME cohort
Low levels of PAE were not associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 months, except for possible motor impairment at higher exposures: our findings highlight the predominant influence of maternal IQ and the home environment.
https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2025/11/10/bmjnph-2025-001313

Neuropharmacology - Prenatal alcohol exposure induces circular and linear long non-coding RNAs, and protein-coding genes linked to proinflammatory neuroimmune function, promoting nerve injury-induced allodynia following morphine treatment
This study characterized spinal transcriptomics and explored potential roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) underlying this paradoxical effect of morphine in PAE mice.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390825004642

NeuroMarkers - This review summarizes advances in the literature on microRNAs as
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders constitute a range of physical and cognitive abnormalities in newborn infants that are caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950588725001089

BMC psychiatry - Association of prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal depressive symptoms with offspring hair cortisol in childhood and adolescence
The present study provides further evidence of long-term effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the HPA axis development of the child, as manifested in distinct trajectories of HCC from primary school age to early adolescence.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-025-07559-9

Journal of Medical Science, Biology, and Chemistry - Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence among Women Who Use Alcohol During Pregnancy in Plateau State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Partner violence and alcohol use disorder among pregnant women are recognised as major public health problems worldwide, particularly in Africa.
https://journals.stecab.com/jmsbc/article/view/1015

Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders - Talking to Your Patients About Alcohol, Marijuana, and Substance Use During Pregnancy
The Psychiatric Consultation Service at Massachusetts General Hospital sees medical and surgical inpatients with comorbid psychiatric symptoms and conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41248008/

Journal of Addictions and Offender Councelling - “I Wouldn't for Myself; I'm Quitting for Her”: Pregnant Hispanic Mothers’ SUD and Trauma Experiences
Pregnant Hispanic women face compounded risks of substance use disorder (SUD) and trauma exposure, yet little research explores their resilience and coping from a strengths-based lens.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaoc.70008

BMJ Public Health - Alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Scotland following public health interventions: population-based study
One in four women self-reported alcohol consumption during early pregnancy. Only MUP was associated with lower consumption among pregnant women. The public health measures were collectively associated with improvement in select perinatal outcomes, highlighting the potential effectiveness of universal interventions.
https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/e003264

European Journal of Public Health - The use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in pregnancy in the UK
Although alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are commonly consumed during pregnancy, there are some safety concerns. Their role as a harm reduction measure in those who are drinking alcohol at increasing risk levels prepregnancy needs further investigation.
https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf188/8317086

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
thesis.unipd.it (Italy) - L' astinenza neonatale da alcol: efficacia degli interventi non farmacologici
La gestione non farmacologica della NAS dovuta all’esposizione prenatale all’alcol si afferma come una pratica efficace e sostenibile, ottenendo benefici clinici per il neonato e per il contesto assistenziale.
https://thesis.unipd.it/handle/20.500.12608/97311

Krajowe Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnienom KCPU (Poland) - Rozum (1): Zrozumienie perspektywy dziecka z FASD
Film edukacyjny dla kandydatów na rodziców adopcyjnych oraz rodzin zastępczych niezawodowych w zakresie FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efNsET9DwQ

FASD TSAF (Switzerland) - Un cordiale benvenuto!
Sono aperte le iscrizioni alla formazione di base per chi, nell’ambito della propria attività professionale, si trova a contatto con persone colpite da disturbi dello spettro alcolico fetale (FASD). Il corso, organizzato in collaborazione con Fachverband Sucht, è aperto a tutte le professioni.
https://fasd-schweiz.ch/index.php/it/

Vinmonopolet (Norway) - Alkoholinntak under amming og graviditet
På denne sida finn du informasjon om alkoholinntak under graviditet og amming.
https://www.vinmonopolet.no/fag/artikler/alkoholinntak-under-amming-og-graviditet

Alcohol News - 47/2025

NordAN (Latvia) - NordAN adopts two new resolutions on EU drug strategy and health taxes
At its General Assembly in Riga, Latvia, on 13 November 2025, the Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network (NordAN) approved two new resolutions on drug control and alcohol-related health taxes. The first resolution calls for the next EU Drugs Strategy to focus first on prevention and health.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/nordan-adopts-two-new-resolutions-on-eu-drug-strategy-and-health-taxes

TVP World (Poland) - New Polish speaker unveils total alcohol ban in parliament
The new speaker of Poland’s parliament has signed an order banning alcohol sales on parliamentary premises, saying lawmakers should set an example as cities nationwide move to curb late-night drinking.
https://tvpworld.com/90098280/speaker-czarzasty-introduces-alcohol-ban-in-polish-parliament

Euronews.com (Greece) - How Greece is using digital tools to enforce its alcohol and tobacco sales bans for minors
Three digital tools aim to help Greece curb the sale of tobacco and alcohol products to children and teenagers.
https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/11/20/how-greece-is-using-digital-tools-to-enforce-its-alcohol-and-tobacco-sales-bans-for-minors

Travel Tomorrow (Thailand) - Thailand’s alcohol crackdown grows as new ban targets drinkers directly
Thailand has introduced a sweeping new set of alcohol restrictions that, for the first time, make consumers legally responsible for drinking outside authorised hours. The new legislation, signed on 8 November, shifts liability away from venues alone, meaning that drinkers now share the blame – and the fines – too.
https://traveltomorrow.com/thailands-alcohol-crackdown-grows-as-new-ban-targets-drinkers-directly/

BBC (UK) - Alcohol licensing recommendations rejected by Lyons
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has rejected a number of changes to the rules around alcohol licensing recommended by an independent report.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq505e4led8o

HuffPost (USA) - A Federal Report Links Alcohol With These Alarming Health Conditions — And It's Being Quietly Buried
How many alcoholic drinks do you have in an entire week? Five, seven, 10? More? If you have one drink a day, your health could be impacted ― but the powers that be aren’t doing much to make that fact known.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-federal-report-links-alcohol-with-these-alarming-health-conditions-goog_l_6915f3e0e4b0dd708f398f18

The Korea Herald (South Korea) - S. Korea pushes for larger warning messages on alcohol packaging
The warning labels on alcohol packaging in South Korea will be significantly larger starting next year, the government announced Wednesday.
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10619454

Psychology Today (USA) - Alcohol-Related Deaths Rise: Women Fare the Worst
As we enter the holiday season, many of us will throw or attend holiday gatherings or parties. Thanksgiving and Christmas cocktails and New Year's plans are heavily promoted in magazines, newspapers, and Food Network shows.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/use-your-brain/202511/alcohol-related-deaths-rise-women-fare-the-worst

MobiHealthNews (Australia) - Alcohol-related cancer risk calculator launches in New South Wales
An online tool that calculates a person's risk for alcohol-related cancers has been made available in New South Wales. The Alcohol and Cancer Risk tool, developed by Cancer Institute NSW, can calculate an individual's lifetime risk of cancers using their age, gender and weekly alcohol consumption. No personal data is stored or captured from users, according to a Cancer Institute NSW spokesperson.
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/anz/alcohol-related-cancer-risk-calculator-launches-new-south-wales

The Harvard Crimson - Heavy Alcohol Use Linked to Earlier, More Severe Strokes, Mass General Researchers Find
Heavy alcohol consumption may lead to earlier and more severe brain bleeds, according to a study published by researchers at Massachusetts General Brigham earlier this month.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/11/17/heavy-drinking-linked-to-severe-strokes/

RNZ (New Zealand) - Health NZ cutting alcohol harm reduction staff and campaigns, union claims
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut staff working on alcohol harm by a third and end its alcohol research and social marketing campaigns, the public service union says.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/575047/health-nz-cutting-alcohol-harm-reduction-staff-and-campaigns-union-claims

Businessday NG (Nigeria) - 1 in 5 Nigerian households hit by alcohol-related violence — ASAAHN
One in every five Nigerian households has experienced alcohol-related violence or loss, the Association of Advocates Against Alcohol Harm in Nigeria (ASAAHN) disclosed, raising fresh concerns about the depth of the country’s alcohol crisis.
https://businessday.ng/news/article/1-in-5-nigerian-households-hit-by-alcohol-related-violence-asaahn/

Medical Xpress (Australia) - The shocking cost of inaction on alcohol in Australia
Alcohol-related diseases and injuries have the potential to cost the Australian health care system a staggering $68 billion over 60 years if nothing is done to stop the impact.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-inaction-alcohol-australia.html

EHN (Europe) - EHN Joins the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA)
The European Heart Network (EHN) is pleased to announce that, as of 11 November 2025, it has officially joined the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA). The Alliance brings together 23 leading European health organisations to advocate for stronger alcohol policy across Europe.
https://ehnheart.org/news-events/news/category-1/ehn-joins-the-european-health-alliance-on-alcohol-ehaa/

IAS Blog (UK) - Government Men’s Health Strategy recognises scale of alcohol harm – but offers little to tackle it
The government’s new Men’s Health Strategy for England acknowledges the devastating toll alcohol takes on men – but it contains almost none of the proven population-level measures needed to bring deaths down.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/government-mens-health-strategy-recognises-scale-of-alcohol-harm-but-offers-little-to-tackle-it/

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School - For Better Health, Drink Less Alcohol
Alcohol use in the U.S. has been in decline for years—only 54% of U.S. adults today say they consume alcohol—the lowest number in nearly 90 years and a 13% drop since just 2022. Fifty-three percent say moderate drinking, or “one or two drinks a day,” is bad for a person’s health; that number is even higher—66%—among young adults ages 18 to 34.
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-health-risks-of-drinking-alcohol

NordAN (Sweden) - 20 years of declining drinking in Sweden
Since 2004, alcohol consumption in Sweden has fallen by just over one fifth. Young adults and older adults now drink at increasingly similar levels. This is shown in the report Self-reported alcohol habits in Sweden 2004–2024 from CAN (the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs).
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/20-years-of-declining-drinking

Alcohol Awareness (Denmark) - Challenging the everyday alcohol “experts” in Denmark
The Danish Cancer Society has launched a new campaign built around a familiar figure, the so-called “expert” in the friend group who can always explain away drinking. The message is simple.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2025/11/17/challenging-the-everyday-alcohol-experts-in-denmark/

Alcohol News - 45/2025

Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Norway) - Drug and alcohol poisonings: new trends challenge emergency departments
Alcohol remains the leading cause of substance-related poisonings; however, the rising incidence of cocaine and ketamine poisonings among young adults and women is impacting on emergency preparedness and public health.
https://tidsskriftet.no/en/2025/11/invitert-kommentar/drug-and-alcohol-poisonings-new-trends-challenge-emergency-departments

Le Monde.fr (France) - Last orders? Report recommends ending alcohol sales in French Parliament
While some lawmakers have called for setting the example, as alcohol is banned in most French workplaces, others defend the bar as a 'showcase for wines from our regions.'
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/11/05/last-orders-report-recommends-ending-alcohol-sales-in-french-parliament_6747131_7.html

Euractiv - MEPs toast ‘reduced-alcohol’ wine label despite industry hangover
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s agriculture committee have backed plans to label wine as ‘reduced-alcohol’ rather than with with a ‘low’ or ‘light’ rating as part of measures to support the industry – despite pushback from winemakers.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/meps-toast-reduced-alcohol-wine-label-despite-industry-hangover/

ScienceDaily (USA) - Most Americans don’t know alcohol can cause cancer
Most U.S. adults don’t realize alcohol raises cancer risk, and drinkers themselves are the least aware. Scientists say targeting these misbeliefs could significantly reduce alcohol-related cancer deaths.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050722.htm

Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials - Why Alcohol and Antidepressants Don’t Mix
If you take antidepressants, you may have been advised to avoid alcohol. But why? Is a glass of wine really all that bad? What about just one night of heavy drinking? Psychiatrist and substance use disorder specialist David Streem, MD, shares the trouble with mixing alcohol and antidepressants.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/antidepressants-and-alcohol

NR Times - Heavy alcohol use linked to brain bleed in later life
People who drink heavily are more likely to suffer severe brain bleeds at a younger age, with larger haemorrhages occurring about a decade earlier than in non-drinkers, new research has revealed.
https://nrtimes.co.uk/heavy-alcohol-use-linked-to-brain-bleed-in-later-life-nrlaw25/

PressProgress (Canada) - Alcohol Still Leading Cause of Substance-related Hospitalizations in Canada, With Cannabis now a ‘Concerning’ Second
After alcohol, cannabis accounts for the second highest number of substance use-related hospitalizations across Canada in the last year, according to new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
https://pressprogress.ca/alcohol-still-leading-cause-of-substance-related-hospitalizations-in-canada-with-cannabis-now-a-concerning-second/

Our Watch  (Australia) - Our Watch and FARE urge stronger action on alcohol to prevent violence against women and children
A new policy brief released today by Our Watch and endorsed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) calls for alcohol harm minimisation strategies to be integrated into national efforts to prevent violence against women and children.
https://www.ourwatch.org.au/news/our-watch-and-fare-urge-stronger-action-on-alcohol-to-prevent-violence-against-women-and-children

IAS Blog (UK) - Deregulating alcohol licensing: how the government’s proposals risk undermining public health and democracy
In April 2025, the UK government launched a ‘Licensing Taskforce’ to review the Licensing Act (2003). On the surface, the review promised to “modernise” the system and “support growth” in the night-time economy.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2025/11/04/deregulating-alcohol-licensing-how-the-governments-proposals-risk-undermining-public-health-and-democracy/

European Heart Network - Launch of the European Declaration on Reducing Harm from Tobacco, Nicotine, Alcohol and Unhealthy Food
On 3–4 November 2025, the FILTERED Project held its Final Conference in Brussels, marking the launch of the European Declaration on Reducing Harm from Tobacco, Nicotine, Alcohol and Unhealthy Food.
https://ehnheart.org/news-events/news/category-1/european-declaration-on-reducing-harm-from-tobacco-nicotine-alcohol-and-unhealthy-food/

Wonca (EU) - WONCA Europe Highlights Crucial Role of Primary Care in Implementing IARC's Alcohol-Cancer Prevention Evidence
WONCA Europe, is drawing attention to the profound implications of the recently launched IARC Handbook for Cancer Prevention Volume 20 on primary care practice across Europe.
https://www.woncaeurope.org/news/view/wonca-europe-highlights-crucial-role-of-primary-care-in-implementing-iarc-s-alcohol-cancer-preventio

NordAN (Finland) - Finns want society to support healthy lifestyles
Finns want to live healthily, but everyday life does not always make that easy. The majority of respondents to a survey by the Cancer Society of Finland feel that society has a responsibility to make healthy choices easier.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/finns-want-society-to-support-healthy-lifestyles

NordAN (Sweden) - MHF highlights Week 45, the national awareness week on alcohol, this year with a focus on older adults and alcohol
During Week 45, MHF will highlight the annual alcohol awareness week. This year the focus is on a group that rarely receives attention in the alcohol debate, older adults and alcohol.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/mhf-highlights-week-45-the-national-awareness-week-on-alcohol-this-year-with-a-focus-on-older-adul

Alcohol Awareness (Finland) - Preventive substance use work week
Finland’s national Preventive Substance Use Work Week takes place every year during week 45. The 2025 theme focuses on talking about dependency early. The core message is to ask a clarifying question, since dependency does not disappear by staying silent.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2025/11/04/preventive-substance-use-work-week/