Alcohol News - 8/2025

The Conversation (Wales) - Minimum alcohol pricing: what we found in Wales after five years
Almost five years ago, a new law came into force in Wales making it illegal to sell alcohol for less than 50p per unit.
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Science Norway - Do strict alcohol policies really work?
Governments in the Nordic countries employ several strategies: high excise taxes, monopolies to control availability, advertising restrictions, drunk driving limits, and age limits. Despite these efforts, cross-border alcohol trade, cultural drinking norms, and changing economic conditions continue to complicate policy effectiveness.
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LRT (Lithuania) - Lithuania is a unique case in cutting alcohol consumption – experts
Lithuania has managed to cut alcohol consumption significantly in record time after implementing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, foreign and local experts have said.
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Medscape - Excessive Drinking Raises Heart Disease Risk
A weekly alcohol intake exceeding the limits recommended by US guidelines was associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) among young and middle-aged men and women.
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Vero News (USA) - Experts identify troubling increase in drinking among seniors
The NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has released some troubling news. Alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harms are increasing among older Americans and at a faster rate for women than men.
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Fresh Balance (UK) - Balance voices support for people to cut down on alcohol
A breast cancer nurse and breast cancer patient are joining Balance in encouraging people to cut down on alcohol this February as a way to reduce cancer risk.
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NordAN (Finland) - Organizations: Substance abuse is a significant problem for municipalities and wellbeing services counties – see how much alcohol costs your local healthcare system
Questions related to the health and wellbeing of Finns will be decided in the regional and municipal elections on April 13. Substance abuse and gambling cause significant costs to municipalities and wellbeing services counties and increase human suffering.
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Alcohol Change (UK) - New report highlights the value of everyday conversations, including those about alcohol, in improving public health and wellbeing
A report published today by the Royal Society for Public Health suggests that the public want those working in public facing roles to be trained to have conversations about physical and mental health.
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Texas A&M - Parental Alcohol Use Linked To Increased Cancer Risk In Children, Texas A&M Researchers Find
New research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has discovered that parents who chronically abuse alcohol can pass along adverse effects that increase their children’s susceptibility to cancer — especially in the liver.
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AJMC - What Recent Evidence Is Telling Us About Alcohol and Cancer
The US Surgeon General’s report calling for warning labels linking alcohol with cancer risk may have generated headlines, but for researchers who study these mechanisms, this was hardly news.
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Alcohol Awareness (Sweden) - New teaching material on alcohol and other drugs launched in Sweden
The teaching material ANDTS på schemat (ANDTS on the schedule) has been relaunched. It is designed to support teachers in educating students about alcohol, narcotics, doping, tobacco, and gambling. The launch takes place during a meeting for student health staff in Norrköping.
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Alcohol News - 7/2025

NordAN (Norway) - Norwegian band Ballinciaga faces penalty notice for serious violations of the Alcohol Act
The Norwegian Directorate of Health has determined that the music group Ballinciaga has illegally advertised alcoholic beverages. The group has now received a notice to rectify multiple violations and faces a potential penalty of approximately 2.4 million NOK.
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WHO Europe - Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk, says new WHO/Europe report
Prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages are essential for raising awareness that consuming alcohol can lead to cancer. This simple and inexpensive measure can empower consumers to make informed choices that can help reduce alcohol-related harms.
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LBC (Saudi Arabia) - No alcohol at all will be allowed at 2034 World Cup, Saudi ambassador tells LBC
No alcohol at all will be allowed at the 2034 World Cup, the Saudi ambassador to the UK has said.
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Eunews (EU) - EU has long planned an alcohol tax review as part of the plan to fight cancer. It could cover its social costs
A European Commission working document has rekindled fears in the Italian and European wine sectors. “Work is underway to revise the directive on minimum rates of excise duty to apply to alcoholic beverages,” reads the report, which takes stock of the implementation of the EU Plan to Combat Cancer (BECA) launched in 2021.
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The Guardian (UK) - Calls for UK government to tackle alcohol-related deaths in older people
Health experts are demanding tough action to tackle the record number of older people dying because of heavy drinking, amid a historic shift away from alcohol by younger generations.
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DutchNews.nl (Netherlands) - More than 80% would back bringing back alcohol locks for cars
More than four out of five people would support the reintroduction of ignition interlocks in cars for people who have been convicted more than once of driving under the alcohol.
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NIT (Australia) - Australian Medical Association condemns NT government abandoning alcohol floor price
The Australian Medical Association (NT) has expressed alarm at the Northern Territory government decision to scrap minimum unit pricing for alcohol, which it called "a crucial measure to reduce alcohol-related harm in the Territory".
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Medical Xpress - Even low levels of alcohol use during pregnancy are linked to changes in unborn babies
New research shows that occasional exposure to alcohol may influence facial shape and brain development.
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The Lancet - Alcohol and cancer risk: bridging the awareness gap
Each year in the USA, alcohol use contributes to nearly 100 000 new cancer cases and 20 000 deaths from cancer, according to an advisory on alcohol and cancer risk issued by the US Surgeon General on Jan 3. Indeed, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the USA, behind tobacco and obesity.
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NordAN - Alcohol and cancer: insights from the EU Country Cancer Profiles Synthesis Report 2025
The EU Country Cancer Profiles Synthesis Report 2025, published by the OECD and the European Commission, provides a comprehensive overview of cancer trends, risk factors, and prevention efforts across the European Union, Iceland, and Norway. Among its many findings, the report reinforces the role of preventable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, in contributing to the cancer burden.
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NordAN (Sweden) - NordAN Open Day in Stockholm: Examining alcohol availability and Nordic cooperation
On February 6, 2025, NordAN member organizations and partners gathered in Stockholm for the NordAN Open Day, a discussion on the growing challenges of alcohol availability in the Nordic region.
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IAS Blog - New film: The Impact of Alcohol on our Healthcare Services: Explained
Alcohol-related deaths in England are at record highs, with the NHS under increasing strain from preventable alcohol-related conditions. Our new short film, The Impact of Alcohol on our Healthcare Services: Explained, explores why urgent action is needed to improve the way our health services respond.
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FASD News - 6/2025

9th International Research Conference on FASD in March 2025: Program & Registration now available!

March 20 – 23, 2025
The Hyatt Regency, Seattle, WA

This advanced-level conference/meeting (previously held in Vancouver*) continues to bring together global experts from multiple disciplines to share international research. From pure science, to prevention, diagnosis, and intervention across the lifespan, the conference will address the implications of this research and promote scientific/community collaboration. It provides an opportunity to enhance understanding of the relationships between knowledge and research and critical actions related to FASD. First held in 1987, the conference brings together people passionate about this work in a stimulating environment where they can learn and forge new partnerships. 

This isn’t just a conference—it is a chance to connect with global leaders, gain cutting-edge insights, and collaborate with professionals dedicated to advancing FASD research. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a passionate advocate, this conference is designed to inspire and enhance your impact.

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NEWS and ARTICLES

FARE Australia - National campaign about alcohol, pregnancy, and breastfeeding delivers $236m benefit to Australians
A groundbreaking campaign to support alcohol-free pregnancies and safe breastfeeding practices has reduced the cost of alcohol harms in Australia by $236 million, according to a new report.
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Scoop - New Zealand News - People With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Dismayed At Government’s Response To The Rights Of Disabled People
The organisation supporting people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families is shocked at the government’s response to the recommendations of the review on the rights of disabled people in Aotearoa announced yesterday.
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WesternSlopeNow.com (USA) - New Legislation Will Increase Awareness and Deliver Support to Individuals with FASD: The FASD Respect Act of 2025
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with five other original cosponsors, have introduced legislation that will advance comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) support services, public health prevention, and research programs across agencies within the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services.
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News-Medical - New research sheds light on brain damage caused by fetal alcohol exposure
In a new study in JNeurosci led by Amy Griffin at the University of Delaware, researchers used rats to find brain circuits that may contribute to the cognitive issues that FASD patients experience, with the end goal of informing treatment strategies.
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EurekAlert - How prenatal alcohol exposure affects behavior into adulthood

Rodent study identifies a brain circuit that is disrupted by alcohol exposure during prenatal development and contributes to poor decision-making in adulthood
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Synapse - Changing outcomes for people with FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has a profound impact on individuals from birth and as they age. Understanding FASD as a brain injury is instrumental in achieving better outcomes for people.
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Chidren in Scotland - Dispelling the myths of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Estimated to impact 3-5% of the entire population and 20% of children and young people in the care experienced community, the importance of increasing awareness and education on the symptoms and impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is plain to see.
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FARE Australia - ‘My FASD diagnosis illuminated the deep fog of misunderstanding and misdiagnosis’
March 2025 will mark six years since I received my Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis — a life-changing confirmation that my mother and I spent four very difficult years seeking — desperate for the acknowledgment and support of healthcare professionals, for what we had come to realise was true: That my brain and body had been irrevocably damaged by alcohol exposure in the first trimester of my mother’s pregnancy.
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UK Government and Parliament (UK) - Fund improved care and support for individuals with FASD
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a disability affecting both children and adults, but there is a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals and the public.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Lisa Dion | Synergetic Play Therapy Institute - Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens
n this episode, Lisa reconnects with Natascha Lawrence, a Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, EMDR Practitioner, and founder of the FASD Institute, for an essential conversation about supporting children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) through play therapy.
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NENC Child Health and Wellbeing Network - Network Huddle: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
This Huddle session will enable you to learn more about FASD, how it impacts those affected by it, and how best to support children, young people and families living with the condition. You will hear from expert speakers followed by an extended Q&A and discussion segment.
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Formed Families Forward - FASD webinar 2025 Understanding Therapy Options for FASD
Presented live on January 28, 2025, as part of the Formed Families Forward Winter FASD Webinar series, this webinar was presented by Jessica Wilson, LCSW.
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Las Vegas Morning Blend - Empowering Voices Emily Hargrove Advocates for FASD Awareness
Join Emily Hargrove, a PhD candidate, author, and advocate, as she shares her personal journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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FASD United - Legal Training: Determining the Severity Levels of FASD From Foster Care to Inmates on Death Row
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MotherToBaby - Living with FASD - The MotherToBaby Podcast
In this episode, Jenn Wisdahl, Chief Operating Officer at the non-profit FASD United, and Laura Bousquet, a mother to a young adult son diagnosed with FASD in his teens, join host Chris Stallman, CGC to discuss challenges many families with lived FASD experience face.
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Perfectly Imperfect - The basic on FASD - The 5 types of FASD
Today we talk about the five types of FASD why Canada recognizes FASD as a fully diagnostic term and why other countries do not and just see it as an umbrella term.
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B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth - Too Many Left Behind - Children and Youth with Disabilities Need Support Now
Disability advocates speak up about the lack of supports received by children and youth with disabilities and the impact it has on them and their families.
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The Health Brief - What Is The Treatment And Support For Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
In this video, we will discuss the various treatment and support options available for individuals affected by FAS.
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RESEARCH
Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Regional hippocampal thinning and gyrification abnormalities and associated cognition in children with prenatal alcohol exposure
We used a novel MRI method to evaluate hippocampal structure in children with PAE and an unexposed comparison group. The data suggest that PAE disrupts hippocampal development, impacting both the early-stage folding of the structure and its ultimate thickness.
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The Journal of Neuroscience - Choice Behaviors and Prefrontal-Hippocampal Coupling are Disrupted in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
We show that alcohol exposure disrupts choice behaviors and prefrontal-hippocampal functional connectivity during a working memory task, identifying the prefrontal-hippocampal network as a potential therapeutic target in FASD treatment.
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Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment - Multidimensional Scaling of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children in a Clinical Sample Assessed for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
The findings demonstrate an alternative interpretation approach for intelligence tests in children with prenatal alcohol exposure, which may complement existing FASD diagnostic frameworks.
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Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science - Preconception Paternal Alcohol Consumption Elicits Postnatal Changes in Neural Retinas of the Offspring
This study provides pioneering evidence that PPAC contributes to FASD-related ocular defects including negative impacts on retinal light responses and retinal thinning in young adult offspring.
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Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health - Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the Courts: How England and Wales Could Benefit From Following an Australian Model
In some countries, for example, England and Wales, it seems likely that many cases are missed at this point and, thus, courts are at risk of making unsafe judgements.
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Nutrients - Cobalamin Status Among Patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—A Preliminary Study
Our study did not find any deficits of vitamin B12 and its metabolites in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Further studies to investigate the role of vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder should be established given the fact that both high and low levels of vitamin B12 may have negative health impacts.
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Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies - Foetal alcohol syndrome disorder in South Africa: Understanding the enablers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Effective mitigation strategies require culturally sensitive public health campaigns, enhanced early diagnosis in rural areas, and trauma-informed, non-judgmental healthcare practices.
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Quality in Sport - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Impact on Neurodevelopment, Diagnosis, Early Intervention and Motor Disorders in Children under 3 Years
This review highlights the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on motor skill development, particularly the persistence of primitive reflexes in infants with FAS, which is indicative of CNS immaturity and necessitates early therapeutic interventions.
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Frontiers in Human Neuroscience - The Association between Neighborhood Environment, Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco, and Structural Brain Development
The current study aimed to examine whether neighborhood environment is associated with brain volume at age 9 to 11, and whether prenatal exposure to alcohol or tobacco modifies this relationship.
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Neurobiology of Language - The Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Structural Brain Connectivity and Early Language Skills in A South African Birth Cohort
Our findings show weak moderation effects of PAE on structural language network properties and language skills.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - One-month outcomes of a culturally tailored alcohol-exposed pregnancy prevention mobile app among urban Native young women: A randomized controlled trial of Native WYSE CHOICES
The NWC app produced trending changes in key areas of knowledge and behavior that may result in reduced AEP risk among urban Native young women.
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Alcohol News - 5/2025

IAS Blog - It’s just a matter of time: drone-delivered alcohol in your neighbourhood
Primary drivers of alcohol use are availability, affordability, and convenience. Drone delivery of alcohol ticks all three of these boxes. Drones can bypass traffic congestion, reduce costs by eradicating the need for a driver, and provide fast access to alcohol at the click of a button.
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Euro Weekly News (Belgium) - 1.5 million Belgians to say “goodbye dry January, and hello sober February!”
With dry January nearly behind us, and many countries such as Germany trying their utmost to keep up with the alcohol-free campaign for the month, Belgium is set to launch a campaign encouraging citizens to ditch the booze for another month, in their Tournee Minerale challenge.
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The Conversation - Is no amount of alcohol safe? Understanding risks and public health guidelines
The United States surgeon general recently called for a warning of cancer risk on alcohol labels. And I agree. But the discourse that has come out in the media, by health professionals and health influencers, has been alarmist and a disservice to informing the public on the real cancer risks associated with alcohol.
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University of Sheffield (UK) - Alcohol app saves lives, reduces harm and could save the NHS millions, new study shows
The ‘Drink Less’ app can be a powerful tool in reducing alcohol consumption and improving public health, a new study has shown.
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PsyPost - Alcohol’s impact on pain and aggression: New research uncovers a critical link
A recent study sheds light on the connection between alcohol consumption, pain tolerance, and aggression, suggesting that alcohol’s ability to numb physical pain may play a significant role in why intoxicated individuals are more prone to aggressive behavior.
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VRT (Belgium) - Over 10 deaths a day are linked to alcohol
More than 3 per cent of all deaths in Belgium are linked to alcohol a study from health institute Sciensano confirms. The most recent figures show that in 2021, 4,000 deaths were linked to alcohol, more than 10 per day.
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tovima.com (Greece) - Mitsotakis Leads Cabinet on Tougher Alcohol, Tobacco Rules for Minors
According to the bill under discussion the provision of alcohol to minors is re-criminalized as a misdemeanor rather than merely an administrative offense.
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Alcohol Change (UK) - More than half of UK drinkers have tried to manage their drinking – the top methods revealed
As the 2025 Dry January® challenge reaches the halfway mark, research from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind the 31-day break from booze, has found that more than half* (54%) of UK drinkers have tried at least one method to manage their drinking in the past.
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Movendi International - Countries Fail To Utilize Alcohol Policy In United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks
Together with Scott Chiossi and Nick Banatvala of the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs we’re telling a story that will change how you view the role and potential of alcohol policy for promoting development.
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FAO (Canada) - The Financial Impact of Expanding the Beverage Alcohol Marketplace in Ontario
The FAO estimates that the Province’s decision to expand the beverage alcohol marketplace in Ontario, including the decision to accelerate that expansion to begin in 2024, will result in a net cost to the Province of $1.4 billion to December 31, 2030.
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NordAN (Norway) - 1 in 5 men in Norway have driven under the influence
"These numbers are alarmingly high. Just think about how many impaired drivers you've encountered on the roads! Every day, 30 people are reported for this offense – and that’s just among those who get caught." This is what Roger Ytre-Hauge, motor expert at Frende Insurance, says about the findings of a survey conducted by Norstat for the insurance company.
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NordAN (Finland) - Young people find low-threshold support for substance abuse – the future of the helpline is under threat
An increasing number of callers to the substance abuse helpline of Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry are young adults. In 2024, nearly one-fifth (19%) of those seeking help through the service were aged 18–29, compared to just 12% in 2021.
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Alcohol News - 4/2025

NordAN (Denmark) - Only one in five Danes knows that even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cancer
It’s not just heavy drinkers who are at risk of alcohol-related illnesses, warns the Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse). Alcohol can be harmful to health in large quantities—a fact that likely won’t surprise most people. However, few Danes associate alcohol with cancer, and most are unaware that even a small amount of alcohol can increase the risk of developing the disease.
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The Conversation - Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it leads to a worse night’s rest overall – here’s why
Alcohol is often used as a sleep aid – with some people crediting a “nightcap” with helping them fall asleep more easily. But while it might be nice to unwind after a long day with a glass of wine or a beer, alcohol may not be as beneficial for sleep as some think. In fact, it may actually lead to a worse night’s sleep overall.
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CEPR (Spain) - Raising legal drinking ages: An opportunity to improve European educational outcomes
Teenage drinking remains widespread in Europe. To address concerns about its negative effects on health and cognition, many European countries have raised their minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 in recent decades.
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American University - Dry January and a Changing Relationship with Alcohol
JR Denson, alcohol and other drugs prevention specialist at the Center for Well-Being, explains why more people are starting the year sober and offers tips for powering through the rest of the month.
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NL Times (Netherlands) - More flight crew members caught under the influence of alcohol last year
Last year, the police caught ten cabin crew members and one pilot with too much alcohol in their system at Schiphol Airport - the highest number since the police started keeping track in 2012. All 11 of them faced hefty fines. The police did not disclose nationalities or the airlines involved, RTL Nieuws reports.
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Yale Daily News - Unmasking alcohol: Yale experts debate alcohol’s cancer risk and labeling implications
In 2020, the American Cancer Society highlighted alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy MED ’03 SOM ’03, more than half of Americans aren’t aware of the cancer risk that alcohol presents to society, drawing concern given the drink’s protagonism in celebrations, social traditions and marketing campaigns.
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Monash University (Australia) - Investigating trends in alcohol and other drugs in injured and fatal road crashes over a decade: study
Published in the journal Injury Prevention, the largest study of its kind conducted in Australia examined substances present in 19,843 injured drivers and 1,596 fatally injured drivers and found methylamphetamine had the highest prevalence, found in 12.3 per cent of fatalities and 9.1 per cent of injured drivers, demonstrating an increase over time.
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University of Wisconsin–Madison - Communities that experience mass shootings drink more alcohol in the aftermath, a new study finds
Public mass shootings in the United States increase alcohol sales in the affected communities for years afterward, according to new research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
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Fresh Balance (UK) - “Alcohol is everywhere”. The public has its say.
A striking 82% of people in our region believe alcohol is a significant problem both regionally and nationally, according to a Balance survey. And one in five (22%) reported a negative impact from alcohol on their life in the past year alone, stemming from either their own drinking or someone else’s.
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IAS Blog - Latest Welsh research shows minimum pricing remains a cornerstone of alcohol harm reduction
Almost five years after minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol was introduced in Wales, the final evaluation report on the measure demonstrates why it is needed as much as ever.
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IAS Blog - Do alcohol ‘sobriety tags’ reduce reoffending?
Alcohol monitoring tags – or ‘transdermal alcohol monitoring devices’ – were rolled out in 2020 and have been used for people serving criminal sentences in the community whose drinking contributed to their offending and therefore subject to an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for up to 120 days.
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NordAN (Iceland) - Health and prevention organizations in Iceland believe the State can save billions by preventing private alcohol sales
Let us be fiscally responsible in public operations – savings recommendations from a broad coalition of health professionals, prevention organizations, and others in the consultation portal on January 21, 2025.
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NordAN (Finland) - THL published scenarios on the impacts of smoking and alcohol use on public health over the next decade
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has examined the development of diseases related to smoking and alcohol consumption under different scenarios. The findings indicate that reducing smoking and alcohol use can significantly improve the health of Finns.
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FASD News - 3/2025

Clare FM (Ireland) - Council To Call For FASD To Be Officially Recognised As Disability
Clare County Council is set to write to the Government to request that Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is officially recognised as a disability.
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MotherToBaby (USA) - MotherToBaby Launches Pregnancy Interactive Tool, FASD Podcast Series, Webinar to Highlight Birth Defects Awareness Month
With 1 in 33 U.S. babies affected by birth defects each year, MotherToBaby, in partnership with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN), is kicking off National Birth Defects Awareness Month by unveiling a new digital pregnancy tool as well as a special podcast series that offers listeners continuing education credits.
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Boston University - Podcast Proves Effective in Educating on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
New research indicates that tuning into an educational podcast prepares healthcare providers to better screen and educate their patients on the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy.
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CPD Online College (UK) - Case Study: Personal Stories of Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
t’s estimated that 3.2% of babies born in the UK are affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. A University of Salford study found that 1.8–3.6% of children assessed may have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which could mean that 1.2–2.4 million people in the UK may have had FASD in 2020.
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FASD United (USA) - FASD United on Government Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk and Proposed Updates to Alcohol Warning Label
FASD United is encouraged by the U.S. Surgeon General’s continued efforts to address the public health impacts of alcohol, culminating in a much-publicized new advisory on alcohol’s links to various forms of cancer.
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FASD United - FASD United Recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month and Partners on Podcast Series
As we welcome the start of 2025, FASD United recognizes National Birth Defects Awareness Month as an opportunity to support and empower the FASD community, build connections within the larger disability community, and rethink how we see and talk about people with FASD, disabilities, and birth defects.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
FASD Awareness - Ask The Expert" with Maggie May - FASD Webinar #32
In this month's webinar, host Andrew Keeping will be taking your questions for the award-winning Maggie May. Maggie May is a young woman with FASD who has become one of the world's leading advocates for FASD.
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FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - Glimpses of FASD - Meet Carl
FASD United is excited to launch “Glimpses of FASD,” an exciting new short video initiative featuring individuals living with FASD sharing their own stories in their own words. The videos are a great way for people to learn more about FASDs and what it’s like to live with them in just a few minutes.
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Health Nexus Santé - Creating a Circle of Care for Your Loved One with FASD (Part 3 of the Lifetime Planning Series)
Discover how personal support networks can transform lives by fostering connection, collaboration, and community. In this insightful presentation, Rebecca Pauls from PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) shares practical strategies for creating sustainable support systems that empower individuals with disabilities and their families.
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FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - FASD Communications - FASD United Webinar
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MotherToBaby - ep. 82 - Public Health Efforts on FASD - The MotherToBaby Podcast
In the second episode of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) special series, we explore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work addressing FASD and how scientific findings are helping shape prevention efforts.
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Fitzgerald Health Education Associates - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome findings
The PMHNP is evaluating a 4-year-old male patient who is presented to care by his new adoptive parents. The patient has been in a variety of foster homes since birth but is now finally in a stable adoptive home.
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MotherToBaby - ep. 81 - FASD Discovery and Prevalence - The MotherToBaby Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones, one of the pioneers who first identified Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the United States in 1973, and Dr. Christina Chambers, a renowned epidemiologist who has conducted groundbreaking research on the prevalence of FASD, join host Chris Stallman, CGC, to discuss the discovery of FASD, its common physical and cognitive traits, and its prevalence today.
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Health Nexus Santé - Wills and Estate Planning for Individuals with FASD (Part 2 of the Lifetime Planning Series)
Planning for the future of a loved one with FASD can be overwhelming. This presentation, led by estate planning expert Natalie Sanna, provides practical and essential guidance for families and caregivers.
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Connected Parenting Minute - What is FASD? An Interview with Sandra Flach - S03 E09 (#30)
In this episode, hosts Will and CarrieAnn Standfest engage in a compelling conversation with Sandra Flach. Together, they delve into the often misunderstood world of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), shedding light on this invisible disability that affects many children, especially those in foster and adoptive families.
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Rural FASD Support Network - Lanark County Community Justice with Samantha Snyder
Samantha from https://www.commjustice.org/ shares how they implement restorative justice in Lanark County for people living with FASD.  She also shares the amazing success they see with this practice particularly with avoiding costly legal obligations, reduced recidivism and strong approval ratings.
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MotherToBaby - Meet Kenneth Lyons Jones, MD!
Kenneth Lyons Jones, MD, a past president of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) and was one of the first two doctors to identify fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in 1973, reflects on his distinguished career, involvement with OTIS and his passionate work surrounding FASD he continues to do today.
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RESEARCH
Psicologia clinica dello sviluppo - Adoption and Spectrum of Feto-Alcoholic Disorders (FASD): Challenges and Resources
Findings indicate that parental stress is negatively associated with emotional well-being, partner support serves as a protective factor for psychological well-being, and friend support for social well-being.
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Respiratory Research - Sexual dimorphism in lung transcriptomic adaptations in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
We hypothesized that developmental alcohol exposure in pregnancy will lead to sexually dimorphic fetal lung morphological and immune adaptations.
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Santa Cecilia University - FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS): THE NURSE AS AN AGENT OF CHANGE IN PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSIS - AN OVERVIEW STUDY
The objective of this study was to synthesize the existing data and evidence on FAS and the role of nurses as agents of change in prevention and diagnosis.
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Frontiers in Public Health - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Before Pregnancy Awareness: A Thematic analysis of online forum comments and misinformation
This study explored discussions about alcohol consumption before pregnancy awareness on Mumsnet to understand the nature of peer response and assess the accuracy of information against official health guidelines and the scientific literature.
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Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs - Associations between Neighborhood Environment and Prenatal Alcohol and Tobacco Exposure
Neighborhood environments differ between prenatal alcohol exposed children and unexposed children, as well as between prenatal tobacco exposed children and unexposed children.
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British Journal of Health Psychology - Associations between lifestyle and well-being in early and late pregnancy in women with overweight or obesity: Secondary analyses of the PEARS RCT
Overall healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and especially sleep duration and quality are associated with psychological well-being in pregnancy, and should be promoted antenatally.
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American Family Physician - Psychosocial Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use During Pregnancy
Psychosocial interventions may increase the rate of sustained alcohol cessation during pregnancy (number needed to treat [NNT] for one more patient to stay continuously abstinent for 2–6 months = 6; 95% CI, 4–15).
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Journal of Women's Health - Maternal Chronic Physical Conditions and Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders in the Preconception and Perinatal Periods
As people with both CPC and SUD have the highest risk of perinatal SUD-related adversity, they may need greater preconception and perinatal support.
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medRxiv - A prospective cohort study to assess if alcohol intake measured by routine pregnancy self-report predicts developmental concerns uncovered by routine health visitor screening of children at 30 months of age
Explanation for this unexpected inverse relationship may relate to known miss-representation of alcohol intake from maternal self-report (the risk) or inaccurate assessment of offspring development at 30 months (the outcome).
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American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Substance Use and Use Disorders During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
This expert review offers obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) a comprehensive overview of substance use during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
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Alcohol News - 3/2025

Public Health Institute - Draft Report: Scientific Findings of the Alcohol Intake and Health Study for Public Comment
In January 2025, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) committee, published the draft report of its alcohol intake and health study, “Scientific Findings of the Alcohol Intake & Health Study” (AIH), for public comment.
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The Conversation  - Even 1 drink a day elevates your cancer risk – an expert on how alcohol affects the body breaks down a new government report
Many people use the new year to reflect on their relationship with alcohol. Just-released government guidelines are giving Americans another reason to consider a “dry January.”
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STAT - Another federal report on alcohol finds even moderate drinking carries risks
A new federal report on alcohol’s health effects has found even moderate drinking — within the bounds of U.S. nutrition guidance — could carry health risks, including injuries, liver disease and cancer.
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News-Medical (UK) - Experts call for national strategy to address alcohol-related harms in the UK
The UK needs an overarching national strategy to tackle alcohol related harms, argue experts in The BMJ today, as deaths from alcohol in England reach their highest level on record.
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The Guardian (Australia) - The links between alcohol and cancer are clear, but most Australians are unaware of the risks
Looking back on my 25 years in medicine, one of my earliest realisations was Australia’s penchant for alcohol. A routine part of taking a patient’s “social” (not medical) history was, “How much do you drink?”
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Financial Times - Ryanair calls for airport alcohol limit amid jump in in-flight disruptions
Flight disruption caused by unruly passengers has surged since the end of the pandemic, leading Ryanair to demand airports impose restrictions on how much flyers are allowed to drink before boarding a plane.
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Alaska Beacon (USA) - Alaska bills on alcohol-cancer warnings and e-cigarettes revived after faltering last year
Two health-related bills that faced unusual deaths in last year’s session of the Alaska Legislature have been resurrected as new bills for lawmakers to consider this session.
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Movendi International - From Sports to Screens: Exposing Big Alcohol’s Predatory Practices in 2024
With this report, we document appalling cases of alcohol industry misconduct. We expose shocking examples of predatory practices. We reveal the direct and fundamental conflict of interest the alcohol industry has.
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Medscape - Teen Use of Zero Alcohol Drinks Worries Experts
New research suggests the zero alcohol products (ZAP) trend has reached teens. But whether these beverages drive healthier behaviors, act as a gateway to alcohol use, or both, is unknown.
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IAS Blog - Alcohol’s contribution to climate change
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. From once in a lifetime floods and bushfires, to species extinction, pollution and proliferation of disease – it is becoming harder to ignore the environmental impacts of our fast-paced consumerism and the industries that sustain this.
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NordAN (Finland) - Refusing alcohol can be challenging – the assumption is that everyone drinks
Alcohol consumption is often seen as a normal part of life, while refusing alcohol is perceived as unusual. Social media influencer Arttu Ylitalo highlights that among young adults, there is a common assumption that alcohol will be consumed whenever people go out.
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NordAN (Finland) - EU Commission rejects Finland’s alcohol home delivery law, government to revise
The European Commission has rejected Finland's draft law on alcohol home delivery, stating that it violates EU competition law.
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NordAN - Link between alcohol and cancer
Can a connection between alcohol and cancer be observed at the population level? The answer is yes. If alcohol consumption in a country decreases, cancer mortality rates also decline. Mats Ramstedt, research director at CAN, is one of the authors of a recently published scientific article on alcohol and cancer.
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Alcohol and cancer (Norway) - Health labeling in Norway: "This is what we've been waiting for"
For the first time, the Norwegian Directorate of Health has shared illustrations of proposed health warnings for alcoholic beverages, reports Aftenposten. This marks an important step toward informing Norwegians about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.
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WHO Europe - Nordic alcohol monopolies: executive summary
The Nordic alcohol retail monopolies are State-owned enterprises in Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands (‎a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark)‎, exclusively authorized to handle the retail sale of alcoholic beverages, with the exception of certain lower-alcohol products.
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