Alcohol News - 11/2026

The Conversation - Just thinking about tequila, whiskey or wine shifts your mindset – new research
Thinking about certain types of alcohol can alter your mood and trigger certain mindsets, especially among young consumers. For instance, tequila calls up a party mindset, whiskey activates a masculine mindset, and wine primes a sophistication mindset.
https://theconversation.com/just-thinking-about-tequila-whiskey-or-wine-shifts-your-mindset-new-research-277160

Notes From Poland (Poland) - Warsaw bans nighttime alcohol sales in shops
Poland’s capital, Warsaw, has announced a ban on nighttime sales of alcohol in shops and petrol stations across the entire city. The new measure will come into force on 1 June 2026 and will apply from 10 p.m to 6 a.m.
https://notesfrompoland.com/2026/03/12/warsaw-bans-nighttime-alcohol-sales-in-shops/

Asia News Network (Cambodia) - Cambodian researchers propose restricting alcohol advertising to ‘reduce allure’
This includes allowing only the brand and logo of the alcoholic beverage, prohibiting associations with prizes, the use of celebrities and influential individuals, and digital advertising, among other measures.
https://asianews.network/cambodian-researchers-propose-restricting-alcohol-advertising-to-reduce-allure/

British Medical Association (UK) - Demand to build accountability into alcohol strategy
Campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to ensure a new alcohol and drugs strategy is backed by sustained funding and accountability.
https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/demand-to-build-accountability-into-alcohol-strategy

News-Medical - Legal sports betting may raise risky alcohol use among young men
A new study in Health Economics indicates that the rapid expansion of online sports betting in the US may be increasing risky alcohol consumption among young men.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260311/Legal-sports-betting-may-raise-risky-alcohol-use-among-young-men.aspx

The Conversation - Sex, pink and empowerment are used to sell alcohol to women. They don’t always like it
We visited ten bottle shops in South Australia over a period of two years. We photographed products that used gendered cues on labels, bottles and packaging.
https://theconversation.com/sex-pink-and-empowerment-are-used-to-sell-alcohol-to-women-they-dont-always-like-it-277610

Daily Record (Scotland) - Drugs and alcohol rolled together for big push to cut Scottish addiction deaths
The amalgamated treatment of two major social blights - which wipe out thousands of lives each year - will involve close cooperation between the Scottish Government and COSLA, which is hoped will eliminate a “postcode lottery” of treatment.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/drugs-alcohol-rolled-together-big-36846011.amp

Scottish Government (Scotland) - Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035
The Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan sets out the Scottish Government and COSLA's long-term approach to addressing alcohol and drug harms.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/preventing-harm-promoting-recovery-scotlands-alcohol-drugs-strategic-plan-2026-2035/pages/8/

NordAN (Sweden) - New report: More than half of all alcohol consumption leads to intoxication
More than half of all alcohol consumption leads to intoxication. In other words, intoxication is the most common way alcohol is consumed. This is the conclusion of this year’s research report in the Alcohol and Society series, Intoxication drinking, acute risks and long-term effects, which focuses on heavy episodic drinking and its acute risks and long-term consequences.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-report-more-than-half-of-all-alcohol-consumption-leads-to-intoxication

IAS - Alcohol, family and change: rethinking drinking across generations in Romany Gypsy and Traveller communities
Alcohol use is often treated as an individual behaviour – something shaped by personal choice, knowledge, or risk awareness. But for many people, drinking is relational, and negotiated within families, communities and across generations.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/03/10/alcohol-family-and-change-rethinking-drinking-across-generations-in-romany-gypsy-and-traveller-communities/

NordAN (Denmark) - New figures on Danes’ alcohol habits are broadly positive, but concerns remain
New figures suggest there have been small improvements in Danes’ alcohol habits. But Denmark still remains a country with high alcohol consumption, and among young people the trend appears to be moving in the wrong direction.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-figures-on-danes-alcohol-habits-are-broadly-positive-but-concerns-remain

Alcohol Action Ireland - New drink driving report points the way for government to reduce road deaths
Ahead of the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, when Ireland’s pubs and roads are busier than usual, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate to reduce alcohol harm, has published a new report on drink driving – an issue that impacts families in every county in Ireland.
https://alcoholireland.ie/press-release-new-drink-driving-report-points-the-way-for-government-to-reduce-road-deaths/

Alcohol and Cancer - New study links alcohol harm knowledge to stronger support for tougher alcohol policies in Europe
A new European study suggests that public understanding of alcohol’s health risks, especially its link to cancer, may play an important role in building support for stronger alcohol policy.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/new-study-links-alcohol-harm-knowledge-to-stronger-support-for-tougher-alcohol-policies-in-europe

Alcohol Awareness (Ireland) - The Alcohol Industry’s Dirty Little Secrets
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Alcohol Forum Ireland released a short video titled “The Alcohol Industry’s Dirty Little Secrets 1,” which examines the marketing strategies alcohol companies use to target women.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/03/13/the-alcohol-industrys-dirty-little-secrets/

Alcohol News - 10/2026

Polytechnique insights - The power of the tobacco and alcohol industries over our health
The tobacco and alcohol industries’ lobbying exploits social networks and influences public policy. For more than twenty years, their marketing techniques have been studied by Karine Gallopel-Morvan, scientific director of the RECLAMS network (Réseau éclairage sur le lobbying et analyse du marketing des industriels).
https://www.polytechnique-insights.com/en/columns/society/the-power-of-the-tobacco-and-alcohol-industries-over-our-health/

National Geographic - Can exercise offset the risks of drinking alcohol?
Research tracking thousands of adults found that staying fit lowered mortality and liver disease risk among drinkers—though rising alcohol use still took a toll.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/does-exercise-reduce-alcohol-health-risks

CBC (Canada) - Ontario, Nova Scotia sign deal to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales
Ontario and Nova Scotia have agreed to let their residents buy alcohol directly from the other's province, part of the premiers' ongoing work to bolster interprovincial trade.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ontario-nova-scotia-deal-direct-to-consumer-alcohol-sales-9.7111786

Medscape - Young Adults Report Urge to Drink After Seeing Alcohol Posts
Young adults who viewed alcohol-related posts on social media reported a higher desire to drink than those who did not see such posts, especially when they found the influencers credible or had been drinking recently.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/young-adults-report-urge-drink-after-seeing-alcohol-posts-2026a10006my

News-Medical - Alcohol-warning labels and pricing could prevent cancer deaths
If Canadian jurisdictions mandated warning labels on alcohol and minimum pricing tied to the number of standard drinks in a container, it could prevent hundreds of cancer diagnoses and deaths, according to a new study led by University of Victoria's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR).
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260303/Alcohol-warning-labels-and-pricing-could-prevent-cancer-deaths.aspx

Neuroscience News - Why Socializing Loses to Alcohol in Addiction
Why do individuals with alcohol use disorders often prioritize drinking over meaningful social connections? A new study identifies a specific brain region—the anterior insula—as a key driver of this maladaptive choice.
https://neurosciencenews.com/alcohol-bias-anterior-insula-30223/

Medical Xpress - Alcohol abstinence enables regeneration even in advanced liver cirrhosis
Consistent and permanent abstinence from alcohol can lead to the regression of existing liver-related complications, even in cases of advanced alcohol-related cirrhosis.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-alcohol-abstinence-enables-regeneration-advanced.html

NZ Herald (New Zealand) - Alcohol Healthwatch ‘horrified’ after Steinlager beer mislabelled
Alcohol Healthwatch’s executive director has said he was “horrified” after thousands of Steinlager beer bottles were mislabelled as alcohol-free.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/alcohol-healthwatch-horrified-after-steinlager-beer-mislabelled/URN4OKTUVJCCNF5OU7USMJ2UJY/

Third Force News (Scotland) - No half measures: urgent action on alcohol is needed
An alcohol charity has demanded bold action on booze in the next Scottish parliament. Alcohol Focus Scotland has warned Scotland’s next MSPs that it’s time to get serious about tackling the cost of harm caused by drinking.
https://tfn.scot/news/no-half-measures-urgent-action-on-alcohol-is-needed

VICE - Alcohol Makes Your Brain Forget How to Communicate With Itself
In a new study published in the scientific journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers led by the University of Minnesota found that moderate alcohol consumption scrambles and hinders brain-wide communication, keeping signals localized to specific brain regions, thus making your brain less efficient, which your failed sobriety test proved undeniably.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/alcohol-makes-your-brain-forget-how-to-communicate-with-itself/

The Guardian - Binge drinking rises sharply among gen Z in their early 20s
Binge drinking rates among gen Z have risen sharply since their teenage years, according to research that challenges their reputation as “generation sensible”.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/05/gen-z-binge-drinking-triples-since-teens

WBRZ (USA) - 'They have alcohol and guns, that's it:' Victim's family calls for closure of after-hours clubs
The family of a man killed outside an after-hours club on Saturday morning called for the closure of those types of establishments in Baton Rouge.
https://www.wbrz.com/news/they-have-alcohol-and-guns-that-s-it-victim-s-family-calls-for-closure-of-after-hours-clubs/

NordAN (Finland) - NordAN submits comments to the Commission on Finland’s latest alcohol law reform
NordAN has submitted a contribution to the European Commission on Finland’s TRIS notification 2025/0782/FI, which concerns a new amendment to the Finnish Alcohol Act.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/nordan-submits-comments-to-the-commission-on-finland-s-latest-alcohol-law-reform

Movendi (Cambodia) - New Danish Documentary Follows Kim Eng’s Stand Against Alcohol Industry Exploitation of Cambodian People
A new Danish documentary “Cambodian Beer Dreams” tells the advocacy story of Movendi International member Yong Kim Eng, exposing the aggressive expansion of the alcohol industry in Cambodia and the harm this causes to the people.
https://movendi.ngo/community-latest/new-danish-documentary-follows-kim-engs-stand-against-alcohol-industry-exploitation-of-cambodian-people/

NordAN (Iceland) - Iceland’s online alcohol fight reaches court and parliament
A long-running dispute over online alcohol sales in Iceland is now moving on two tracks at once. In a new opinion article published on 3 March, Siv Friðleifsdóttir writes that the main hearing in the criminal case against the online seller Smáríkið is scheduled to begin on Thursday, 5 March, in Reykjanes District Court.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/iceland-s-online-alcohol-fight-reaches-court-and-parliament

Alcohol News - 9/2026

NordAN (Finland) - EHYT: Alcohol law changes must be re-prepared
Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry has issued a statement calling for the current reform of Finland’s Alcohol Act to be prepared again. As a national organisation working on preventive substance abuse, EHYT questions both the substance of the proposal and the way the legislative process has been handled.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ehyt-alcohol-law-changes-must-be-re-prepared

Croatia Week (Croatia) - Croatia moves to tackle night-time disorder with local alcohol sales controls
Whilst proposed amendments to the country’s Trade Act won’t include a nationwide ban on alcohol sales, cities and municipalities will be given the authority to regulate retail alcohol sales during evening and night-time hours, in line with local needs.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-no-nationwide-alcohol-ban-trade-act-amendments/

Medscape (Northern Ireland) - Northern Ireland Alcohol Deaths Hit Record High
Health leaders have called for the urgent introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) after deaths linked to alcohol in Northern Ireland reached their highest level on record.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/northern-ireland-alcohol-deaths-hit-record-high-2026a10005mv?form=fpf

Luxembourg Times (Luxembourg) - More and more Luxembourgers have an alcohol probleem
Experts warn that the dangers are underestimated and the treatment situation is ‘very chaotic’, with few openings and long waiting lists
https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/more-and-more-luxembourgers-have-an-alcohol-problem/133301577.html

CBC (Canada) - Nunavik residents rally against alcohol and drugs, amid rising rates of violence
New police figures show violent crimes in Nunavik are rising, with national estimates finding the relative frequency and severity of violent crimes in Nunavik is nearly 20 times higher than the Canadian average.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavik-alcohol-drugs-rising-violence-9.7103018

Medical Xpress - Zero-alcohol ads hook teens, research suggests
Zero-alcohol drink advertising may not be as harmless as it seems, with new Flinders University research showing it could increase teenagers' interest in drinking full-strength alcohol.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-alcohol-ads-teens.html

IAS - European health organisations are powerless against the wine lobby
In alcohol policy, the influence of prominent global producers such as Heineken, AB InBev, Carlsberg, Diageo, and Pernod Ricard is well recognised and discussed.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/24/european-health-organisations-are-powerless-against-the-wine-lobby/

Cardiovascular Business - Excessive alcohol use increases risk of amputation in CLTI patients
Heavy alcohol use—three or more drinks each day—should be considered a risk factor for poor outcomes in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), according to a new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/vascular-endovascular/excessive-alcohol-use-increases-risk-amputation-clti-patients

Malta Independent (Malta) - Ministry announces launch of new national alcohol policy
The Ministry for Social Policy has launched a renewed National Alcohol Policy. The policy sets out a five-year vision and it updates previous measures to reflect current changes related to alcohol consumption.
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-02-26/local-news/Ministry-announces-launch-of-new-national-alcohol-policy-6736287555

WRD.News - Alcohol Harm: A Public Health Crisis Fuelled by Industry Lobbying
Alcohol harm remains one of the most pressing public health crises in the United Kingdom today. Deaths linked to alcohol continue to soar above pre-pandemic levels. The financial toll is equally stark: alcohol-related harm costs England alone more than £27 billion every year. Yet meaningful policy action has been painfully slow to arrive.
https://wrdnews.org/alcohol-harm-and-the-public-health-crisis-industry-lobbying-is-blocking/

Alcohol Awareness - Psychology of People Who Don’t Drink Alcohol
This video from Finn’s Lab looks at the psychology behind choosing not to drink alcohol and pushes back against the usual stereotypes. It argues that not drinking is rarely just about willpower.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/02/26/psychology-of-people-who-dont-drink-alcohol/

FASD News - 8/2026

The Conversation - The most prevalent disability in classrooms may be FASD — and supporting students is vital
As I walk into the classroom as a newly graduated teacher, I see children — each with unique abilities, interests and an eagerness to learn. This Ontario classroom was designed to be inclusive — a space where all students, regardless of their needs, can thrive.
https://theconversation.com/the-most-prevalent-disability-in-classrooms-may-be-fasd-and-supporting-students-is-vital-272553

CBC (Canada) - New 'Clear Skies Tent' aims to help people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder connect with culture
A new safe space to help with sensory regulation for people living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has just made its debut at the annual Yukon First Nations Health and Wellness Summit.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/fasd-yukon-clear-skies-tent-9.7069232

North Dallas Gazette - Inadequate Nutrition and Lower Education Linked to Worse Outcomes for Children Exposed to Alcohol in Utero
A new study addresses the puzzle of why heavy drinking throughout pregnancy leads to widely varying outcomes for children.
https://northdallasgazette.com/2026/02/04/inadequate-nutrition-and-lower-education-linked-to-worse-outcomes-for-children-exposed-to-alcohol-in-utero/

News-Medical - Study examines the effectiveness of urine testing as a screening tool for alcohol use in pregnancy
Data on alcohol consumption by pregnant women in Ireland has previously only been collected through self-reporting in questionnaires, which may give an incomplete picture of consumption.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260218/Study-examines-the-effectiveness-of-urine-testing-as-a-screening-tool-for-alcohol-use-in-pregnancy.aspx

Medical Xpress (Ireland) - Most pregnant women in Ireland avoid alcohol, research shows
Alcohol consumption during early pregnancy in Ireland is significantly lower than previously reported, according to new research. Previous estimates, based largely on self-reported data, suggested that between 20% and 60% of pregnant women in Ireland consumed alcohol.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-pregnant-women-ireland-alcohol.html

Daily Mail - If your mother drank even a little alcohol during pregnancy you're far more likely to struggle with a dangerous habit, research suggests
Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy are more likely to have children who grow up vulnerable to alcohol dependence, a major study suggests.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15521025/mom-pregnancy-disease-alcoholism-dopamine.html

Girls, Women, Alcohol, and Pregnancy - Finding Opportunities for Women’s Resistance and Recovery when Alcohol is Increasingly ‘Pink’
Understanding the factors that contribute to alcohol use in pregnancy is important. The research continues to highlight that factors associated with prenatal alcohol use include informational factors (e.g., not knowing about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy), stress-related factors (e.g., experiencing violence), social determinant of health-related factors (e.g., socioeconomic status), and preconception and pregnancy-related factors (e.g., using substances before pregnancy).
https://fasdprevention.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/finding-opportunities-for-womens-resistance-and-recovery-when-alcohol-is-increasingly-pink/

 

VIDEOS
Formed Families Forward YouTube - Understanding the Diagnosis of FASD (FASD Webinar Series Winter 2026)
Broadcast live on January 13, 2026, this webinar was presented by Ali Sturgill, PNP and Stephanie McNerney, PNP of the University of Virginia Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. It overviews fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and details specifics of the medical diagnosis of the condition, including signs at various developmental stages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UnkJL0GjMA

FASDSUCCESS - FASD & Brain Connectivity: Dr. Raja Mukherjee on Why "Behavior" is Biology
Dr. Raja Mukherjee joins Jeff to explain how prenatal alcohol exposure impacts brain connectivity, revealing that many struggles with regulation and memory aren't character flaws, but the result of different regions of the brain struggling to communicate with each other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvl1kXWQqKQ

CanFASD - FASD Innovation in Action: Claudette Bradshaw Award Presentation
In this webinar recording, the 2025 recipient of the Claudette Bradshaw FASD Innovation Award, the Enviros Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Clinic, presents its Transitions to Positive Futures program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0nwWZ7hUa4

Formed Families Forward YouTube - Occupational Therapy and FASD: Supporting Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan
Broadcast live on January 20, 2026, this webinar was presented by Misty Pruner, PhD, OTR/L and Tracy Jirikowic, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA of the University of Washington, Seattle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP_2pTzOVtc

FASDSUCCESS - Why Degrees Don't Fix Fetal Alcohol Dysregulation w/ Carrie McCarter
In this episode of The FASD Success Show, Jeff Noble sits down with Carrie McCarter a speech pathologist with a master’s degree and over two decades of experience in early intervention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7UJh3m9ZAA

Avoiding the Addiction Affliction - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder" with Guida Brown
„Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, and understudied. Individuals with FASDs and their families also face persistent stigma, negative stereotypes, and harmful biases, due to public misunderstandings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWkUhFF7fHM

CISUR - Let’s Act! Bill S-234: A national FASD framework
Part of the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) Community of Practice event series. This session, co-presented by CanFASD, featured Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia speaking about the background and core elements of Bill S-234, why he is passionate about this issue, and the steps required for the Bill to become an Act.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDYpb3NLZEo

Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York - Workshop 13A:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders from a Trauma Lens with Barb Clark | AFFCNY
In child welfare, we see high rates of children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs along with high levels of in-utero stress, which can have a significant impact on a child’s brain development. Although fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are twice as common as autism, this disorder often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRNiT_I4WiY

FASD Hub Scotland and FASD Hub UK - Wednesday Webinar with Dr Dr Maude Champagne
Decoding Aggression, Complex Behaviours and Brain Based Disabilities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UBaQSVRQZE

Beyond 6 Seconds - Neurodivergent communication differences (Autism, FASD, ADHD and more) -- with Patti Kasper
This episode is a special collaboration between Beyond 6 Seconds and the Living with FASD podcast hosted by ‪@PatriciaKasperYourFASDCoach. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can impact physical, cognitive, and behavioral development.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHSPtkomsRQ

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Passage of the FASD Respect Act: Next Steps in Advocacy
In this episode of Living with FASD, Patti talks with FASD United’s Jen Wisdahl and Susan Shepard Carlson about the recent signing of the FASD Respect Act into law, highlighting the journey of advocacy that led to this significant achievement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olge0rVq89Q

FASD Hub Scotland and FASD Hub UK - Wednesday Webinar with Eileen Devine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9al76Q0y5c

 

RESEARCH
International Journal of Molecular Sciences - Comprehensive Analysis of the Placenta–Cortex Transcriptomic Database Reveals a Neuroactive Ligand–Receptor Dysregulation After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Neuroplacentology is an emerging field of research supporting that the placenta actively contributes to the fetal brain development through the release of bioactive molecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/4/1819

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - The fundamentals of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation of an awareness-raising webinar
Health professionals in the UK and internationally often lack knowledge of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Raising awareness of PAE and FASD across health and social care sectors is vital to support Scotland’s implementation of neurodevelopmental pathways.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/the-fundamentals-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-evaluation-of/

Neurotoxicology and Teratology - Profiles of polysubstance exposure in youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the association with neurodevelopmental outcomes
Findings highlight heterogeneity in neuropsychological outcomes based on distinct patterns of prenatal polysubstance exposures. Neuropsychological assessment remains essential for capturing this variability and informing individualized, exposure-responsive care.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892036226000012

AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples - Māori caregivers’ experiences of parenting a person with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The findings show that Māori caregivers face great adversity in providing the best possible care for their children living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and that they sacrifice a great deal in terms of their health or finances, alongside battling for basic supports and resources for their children.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/11771801251409088

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - An examination of child outcomes and predictors of severity when prenatal alcohol exposure is frequent and heavy
Higher maternal body weight and a BMI between 25 and 29 appear to be protective for the offspring. Long-term adequate nutrition and less alcohol consumption in the third trimester may protect highly exposed children from the most severe and negative outcomes.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70228

BMJ open - Establishing the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among young people in Youth Justice residences in Aotearoa, New Zealand: a study protocol
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term that describes the neurodevelopmental and physical effects resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/2/e107208.abstract

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry - Prenatal alcohol exposure and the retrosplenial cortex: Structural and functional mechanisms across species
The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a structurally and functionally complex hub with broad connectivity, integrating sensory inputs, cognitive states, and memory to guide behavior. It supports perspective transformation, predictive modeling, and memory retrieval, making it critical for navigation, executive function, and higher cognition.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584626000291

medRxiv - Prenatal alcohol exposure and the development of multiple risk behaviours in adolescence: A birth cohort study
This study supports the UK Chief Medical Officer’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines that the safest approach if pregnant, or if there is a possibility of becoming pregnant, is to avoid drinking alcohol, with the more alcohol consumed during pregnancy the greater the risks of long-term harm to the baby.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.29.26345107v1

 

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Fördermagazin Sekundarstufe (Germany) - FASD ‒ die große „Unbekannte“
FASD ist eine noch recht unbekannte und vor allem gemiedene Diagnose. Jährlich kommen etwa 14.000 Kinder mit dieser, durch pränatalen Alkoholkonsum verursachten, Störung zur Welt.
https://elibrary.utb.de/doi/abs/10.5555/fsek-1-2026_07

La Presse Médicale Formation (Italy) - Alcool et grossesse. Un risque évitable trop banalisé
La grossesse est une fenêtre d’opportunité pour aborder la question de l’alcool qui est la substance psychoactive la plus consommée en France mais aussi la plus dangereuse pour le fœtus.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666479826000108

Chaos im Kopf Podcast - Dein FASD Podcast (Germany) - Das FASD-Bermudadreieck C92
Manchmal fühlt sich Alltag mit FASD an wie ein Leben im Bermuda-Dreieck – Dinge und Informationen verschwinden spurlos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvQeV31grXM

Alcohol News - 8/2026

Aarhus Universitet (Denmark) - Alcohol explains most suspected drugging cases
The first Danish national review of reported drugging cases shows that many incidents can likely be explained by alcohol consumption alone.
https://health.au.dk/en/display/artikel/alcohol-explains-most-suspected-drugging-cases

ERR (Estonia) - Experts: Estonians underestimate link between alcohol consumption and cancer
While Estonians often fail to make the connection between alcohol consumption and common forms of cancer, politicians find it tough to impose restrictions on alcohol.
https://news.err.ee/1609941491/experts-estonians-underestimate-link-between-alcohol-consumption-and-cancer

Euronews.com (Croatia) - Another Croatian destination to crack down on party tourism with alcohol sales ban
Split wants to bring in the new measures this summer to curb late-night street partying. One of Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations is proposing new restrictions on alcohol sales.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/02/19/another-croatian-town-to-crack-down-on-party-tourism-with-alcohol-sales-ban-this-summer

Le Monde.fr (France) - 'A drunk woman is shameful': Why women face greater risks but receive less support for alcohol addiction
Although women as a whole drink less alcohol than men, they are physiologically more vulnerable to its toxicity. Yet these increased health risks are often met with silence, violence and delays in accessing care.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/science/article/2026/02/16/a-drunk-woman-is-shameful-why-women-face-greater-risks-but-receive-less-support-for-alcohol-addiction_6750521_10.html

News-Medical - Parenting style shapes adolescent alcohol and drug use
"Like father, like son? Can parenting styles break the intergenerational pattern of alcohol and drug use?" A group of Brazilian researchers analyzed data on the behavior of 4,280 adolescents and their guardians based on this question, arriving at two important conclusions.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260213/Parenting-style-shapes-adolescent-alcohol-and-drug-use.aspx

BBC (Northern Ireland) - Should alcohol minimum pricing be introduced in NI?
The health minister has said time is "quite rapidly" running out for the executive to introduce alcohol minimum pricing in Northern Ireland.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vjnndlm4lo

European Medical Journal - Strong Link Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Alcohol Use
ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS affect more than half of people with borderline personality disorder, according to a major meta-analysis, highlighting an urgent need for integrated screening and treatment to improve long term psychiatric outcomes.
https://www.emjreviews.com/general-healthcare/news/strong-link-between-borderline-personality-disorder-and-alcohol-use/

University of Waikato (New Zealand) - Study calls for tougher laws to protect children from alcohol advertising
University of Waikato researchers are calling for stronger Government-led laws to protect children from alcohol advertising, warning current self-regulation is failing to prevent harm.
https://www.waikato.ac.nz/int/news-events/news/study-calls-for-tougher-laws-to-protect-children-from-alcohol-advertising/

Universitetet i Oslo (Norway) - Night-time = alcohol, noise and accidents?
The streets of Oslo are characterised by alcohol, noise and a great deal of chaos on Friday and Saturday nights. Police, private security guards and the Night Ravens work to maintain order, but also have to tolerate a certain amount of chaos.
https://www.uio.no/english/research/research-news/articles/2026/night-time-chaos-police-bouncers-night-ravens.html

Daily Maverick - As Europe drinks less, Big Alcohol turns to Africa
As drinking declines in Europe and North America, global alcohol companies are shifting their growth strategy towards emerging markets – including South Africa.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-02-18-as-europe-drinks-less-big-alcohol-turns-to-africa/

The BMJ (IAS) - Planned alcohol advertising restrictions sunk after industry lobbying, freedom of information requests show
Plans for alcohol advertising restrictions were dropped by government after firms including Budweiser, Greene King, and Heineken warned they would harm the economy.
https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s314

IAS - Alcohol and other drugs agencies need to contribute to climate adaptation
The climate has changed – the last 11 years were the hottest on record, and each decade since the 1980s has been hotter than the previous one.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/17/alcohol-and-other-drugs-agencies-need-to-contribute-to-climate-adaptation/

NordAN (Sweden) - Swedish government inquiry: retail monopoly and alcohol tax remain central to public health policy
The Swedish government has received the final report of a major state inquiry into the follow up and evaluation of public health policy, including a specific assessment of alcohol policy instruments.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/swedish-government-inquiry-retail-monopoly-and-alcohol-tax-remain-central-to-public-health-policy

Alcohol News - 7/2026

Alcohol Awareness - Global campaign shines light on the “Hidden Hurt” during COA Week 2026
As the world turns its attention to Valentine’s Day, a global coalition of advocates is shining a light on a much less visible form of heartbreak. Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week 2026, running from February 8 to 14, has mobilized organizations across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia to address the “hidden hurt” of parental substance use.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/02/12/global-campaign-shines-light-on-the-hidden-hurt-during-coa-week-2026/

South African Government News Agency  (South Africa) - Government to push for stronger alcohol legislation
Government will move to strengthen regulatory controls of alcohol in South Africa in a bid to reduce road accidents, crime and other social ills.
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-push-stronger-alcohol-legislation

NL Times (Netherlands) - Dutch program using in-car alcohol lock cuts drunk driving long after end
A Dutch program that required drivers to install in-car breathalyzer devices, known as alcohol ignition interlocks, significantly reduced repeat drunk driving—even after the program ended—according to new research from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/08/dutch-program-using-car-alcohol-lock-cuts-drunk-driving-long-end

News-Medical - Chronic alcohol use profoundly alters gene expression in the brain's reward system
Chronic alcohol consumption profoundly alters gene expression in key brain regions involved in reward, impulse control, and decision-making, according to a study led by researchers at the Institute for Neurosciences, a joint center of Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Published in the journal Addiction, the work provides new insight into the biological basis of alcohol addiction and points toward potential therapeutic targets.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260209/Chronic-alcohol-use-profoundly-alters-gene-expression-in-the-brains-reward-system.aspx

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (USA) - Alcohol warning labels may not be reaching US adults, new research suggests
Only about one in four adult alcohol consumers in the United States has read the federal alcohol health warning in the past month — and even fewer remember what it says, according to new research led by Marissa Hall, PhD, associate professor of health behavior at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/alcohol-warning-labels-may-not-be-reaching-us-adults-new-research-suggests/

La Trobe University (Australia) - Celebrity alcohol ads slip into teens’ Insta feeds
Celebrity actors, musicians and athletes are promoting their own alcohol products on Instagram without clear disclosure of advertising content - and almost all posts are visible to underage users, according to new research from La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2026/release/celebrity-alcohol-ads-slip-into-teens-insta-feeds

RTE.ie (Ireland) - The community groups shifting our social scene away from alcohol
Journalist Anja Zauers looks at two of the community groups changing Ireland's social scene in 2026. January may have come and gone (despite feeling like it would never end), bringing with it bold resolutions for some and a quiet urge to reinvent for others.
https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2026/0209/1557467-the-community-groups-shifting-our-social-scene-away-from-alcohol/

RUV (Iceland) - Debate over alcohol monopoly continues
Lára G. Sigurðardóttir and Elías Blöndal Guðjónsson have exchanged views on alcohol and public health in recent days. They were guests on RÚV yesterday and discussed access to alcohol and its impact on society.
https://www.ruv.is/english/2026-02-13-debate-over-alcohol-monopoly-continues-466847

Multistate (USA) - Alcohol Legislation Takes A New Turn: Canned Cocktails, Direct-to-Consumer Shipping, and More
At the end of each year, our policy analysts share insights on the issues that have been at the forefront of state legislatures throughout the year. Here are the big developments and high-level trends we saw in 2025 in the alcohol policy space, plus what you can expect in 2026.
https://www.multistate.us/insider/2026/2/12/alcohol-legislation-takes-a-new-turn-canned-cocktails-direct-to-consumer-shipping-and-more

BBC (Northern Ireland) - Rise in alcohol deaths in young people concerning, says doctor
A rise in younger people suffering deaths from alcohol is concerning, a doctor has said. Statistics published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) show the number of deaths caused exclusively by alcohol has increased by 81% in 10 years.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq572yd342jo

Rayo (Scotland) - Dangers of drinking not taken seriously enough in Scotland, health campaigners say
A report has been published campaigning for a 50p per unit minimum price and reduced availability of alcohol to be introduced as soon as possible.
https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/mfr/local/news/dangers-drinking-taken-seriously-enough-scotland-health-campaigners-says-3

IAS (UK) - Is the Great British Pub on the verge of extinction? The truth behind the headlines
We’re all very used to these headlines – and these were in 2025 alone. For decades now, there has been increasing concern at the decline in the number of pubs across the UK.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/10/is-the-great-british-pub-on-the-verge-of-extinction-the-truth-behind-the-headlines/

PopNAD (Norway) - Increasing alcohol and cannabis use among youth and young adults in Norway- what does the data tell us?
This article examines how alcohol and cannabis use among young people in Norway has changed in recent years, based on new analyses from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI). Drawing on data from long-running national surveys, it describes developments in levels of use, patterns of consumption, perceptions of risk, and related consequences among adolescents and young adults.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/increasing-alcohol-and-cannabis-use-among-youth-and-young-adults-in-norway-what-does-the-data-tell-us/

Le Monde (France) - French companies cut down on drinking at work
Abstinence is gaining traction in France, including among employers. The electric utility company EDF banned alcohol consumption on all sites, prompting internal protest.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/02/07/french-companies-cut-down-on-drinking-at-work_6750258_19.html

NordAN (Sweden) - CAN invites Sweden to “play a role” for children living among drinking problems
Everyone can play a role for children and young people who grow up with an adult who drinks too much. That is the message during the awareness week Play a role, which is held every year around Valentine’s Day. In 2026, Play a role takes place on 9 to 15 February.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/can-invites-sweden-to-play-a-role-for-children-living-with-harmful-drinking

Alcohol News - 6/2026

PopNAD - The Nordic dream of becoming what we already are
As a new year begins, aspirations fill the air, with new goals, new habits, and new ways of becoming slightly better than before. Against this backdrop, the alcohol-policy ambitions in Sweden and Finland to “become more like the rest of Europe” feel particularly topical.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/the-nordic-dream-of-becoming-what-we-already-are/

Scandasia (Thailand) - Alcohol ban returns this weekend ahead of Thailand election
Alcohol sales were banned nationwide in Thailand last weekend in connection with the parliamentary election. This weekend, the same restrictions will once again be in force, according to the Royal Thai Police.
https://scandasia.com/alcohol-ban-returns-this-weekend-ahead-of-thailand-election/

GLOBSEC - Alcohol and Tobacco Control: Spotlight on Innovative Policies in Europe
In 2025, GLOBSEC published updated analyses examining key determinants of population health, with a focus on alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and dietary risk factors. Published under the title "Untapped Potential of Improved Diet, Smoking and Alcohol Consumption," the studies primarily focused on Slovakia and offered an in-depth assessment of national trends and policy options.
https://www.globsec.org/publications/alcohol-tobacco-control-policies-europe

Time Magazine - Why Alcohol Raises the Risk of Cancer
Carcinogens—substances that increase cancer risk—are often obvious. Some with the most research backing their dangers are tobacco, radiation, and asbestos. Also in that category? Alcohol.
https://time.com/7364435/alcohol-cancer-risk-carcinogens/

BBC (Wales) - Beer and wine to cost more as minimum alcohol price to rise by 30%
The minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Wales will increase from 50p to 65p from October.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy09ekp5pj5o

University of Stirling (Scotland) - Study reveals insidious impact of alcohol marketing on young people
A University of Stirling study has laid bare the insidious impact of alcohol sponsorship of major sporting events on young people in Scotland.
https://www.stir.ac.uk/news/2026/february-2026-news/study-reveals-insidious-impact-of-alcohol-marketing-on-young-people/

PsyPost - Alcohol shifts the brain into a fragmented and local state
A standard glass of wine or beer does more than just relax the body; it fundamentally alters the landscape of communication within the brain.
https://www.psypost.org/alcohol-shifts-the-brain-into-a-fragmented-and-local-state/

Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Alcohol harm ‘underappreciated’
A public health expert has painted a sobering picture of the impacts of alcohol on society, saying consumption needs to reduce drastically.
https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/the-ensign/alcohol-harm-%E2%80%98underappreciated%E2%80%99

LabourList (UK) - ‘Alcohol harm is a public health crisis — and industry lobbying is blocking action’
We may not want to talk about it, but our country has a serious problem with alcohol. Alcohol deaths still soar above pre-pandemic levels and alcohol harm costs over £27 billion a year in England alone, straining the NHS and other public services.
https://labourlist.org/2026/02/alcohol-harm-public-health-crisis-industry-lobbying-blocking-action/

IAS Blog - The Dry January® challenge: Separating fact from fiction
In 2026, 17.5 million people across the UK plan to take a month off alcohol in January, aiming to kick off the year on a happier, healthier note. Top motivations include saving money, improving health and fitness, and boosting mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/05/the-dry-january-challenge-separating-fact-from-fiction/

IAS Blog (UK) - National Cancer Plan for England acknowledges alcohol as cancer risk factor
The UK Government has published its National Cancer Plan for England, which lists alcohol as a risk factor for cancer. Despite the acknowledgement, there are no new policy proposals in the Plan beyond those already committed to as part of the 10 Year Health Plan on introducing mandatory labelling and supporting the no and low alcohol sector.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/national-cancer-plan-for-england-acknowledges-alcohol-as-cancer-risk-factor/

NordAN (Finland) - NGOs’ cooperation structures dismantled at the expense of preventive substance use work
State funding for the NGO network for preventive substance use work is being discontinued at a time when the need for such work is growing rapidly. At the same time, the ministry is systematically scaling down other networks that support cooperation between civil society organisations.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ngos-cooperation-structures-dismantled-at-the-expense-of-preventive-substance-use-work

Alcohol and Cancer - Four in ten cancer cases could be prevented globally
Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study examines 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation – and for the first time – nine cancer-causing infections.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/four-in-ten-cancer-cases-could-be-prevented-globally