Alcohol News - 12/2026

The Lancet - Not all alcohol policies are created equal
The evidence has long been clear that high levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk of cancers of the head, neck, and digestive system, as well as breast cancer in women. Studies have shown that even low levels of drinking can increase these risks. However, the long latency between changes in alcohol consumption and changes in cancer risk means that it is hard to assess the effect of alcohol policies on cancer outcomes, even when we know that these policies have been effective at reducing drinking. As a result, modelling studies are crucial to understanding how alcohol policy action can translate into changes in cancer outcomes.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(26)00019-8/fulltext?dgcid=tlcom_carousel2_globalhealth_blue_lanpub

belganewsagency.eu (Belgium) - Student alcohol and drug use falls, but risky behaviour rises
Fewer students are drinking alcohol and using cannabis, but risky habits and related problems are increasing, according to a large new survey in Flanders and Brussels.
https://www.belganewsagency.eu/student-alcohol-and-drug-use-falls-but-risky-behaviour-rises

Euronews.com (Greece) - Greece launches digital age verification system to curb tobacco and alcohol sales to minors
Greece has unveiled a new digital application system to verify the age of customers buying tobacco and alcohol, as part of a broader government push to enforce a law banning sales of both products to minors that passed last summer.
https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/03/18/greece-launches-digital-age-verification-system-to-curb-tobacco-and-alcohol-sales-to-minor

Brno Daily (Czech Republic) - Half of Czechs Believe Small Amounts of Alcohol Are Good For Health, Says Survey
About half of Czechs believe that drinking small amounts of alcohol is beneficial to their health, most often defining a small amount as a few glasses of wine or beer, according to a study conducted by sociologists at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University.
https://brnodaily.com/2026/03/16/news/half-of-czechs-believe-small-amounts-of-alcohol-are-good-for-health-says-survey/

LSM (Latvia) - Is Latvia an oasis of cigarettes and alcohol?
Cigarette prices in Latvia have doubled over the last ten years, but during the same period the excise tax on vodka has not even increased by half, according to an analysis by Latvian Television's "Forbidden Method" ("Aizliegtais paņēmiens") investigative programme.
https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/18.03.2026-is-latvia-an-oasis-of-cigarettes-and-alcohol.a639344/

Medical Xpress (USA) - Awareness of alcohol-cancer link holds steady despite omission from new US dietary guidelines
Public awareness of the link between drinking alcohol and elevated cancer risk remains unchanged since February 2025, with over half of Americans saying that regularly consuming alcohol increases your chances of later developing cancer, according to a new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-awareness-alcohol-cancer-link-steady.html

Oncodaily - Alcohol And Breast Cancer: What This Meta-Analysis Means For Risk And Prognosis
The relationship between alcohol and breast cancer has been discussed for decades, but one question has remained especially important for clinicians and patients alike: does alcohol only affect the risk of developing breast cancer, or does it also worsen outcomes after diagnosis?
https://oncodaily.com/oncolibrary/alcohol-and-breast-cancer

NZ Herald (New Zealand) - Alcohol ads shape how children think about drinking, Waikato study finds
University of Waikato researchers say a new study shows alcohol advertising is shaping how New Zealand children think about drinking and could be pushing them towards alcohol earlier.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/alcohol-ads-shape-how-children-think-about-drinking-waikato-study-finds/YHQCQRBDPRD6LM4Q7JWCSWA3EI/

The Sum and Substance (USA) - Bills seek to make alcohol producers pay more for substance-abuse, mental-health treatment
HHS Committee members will consider both bills from a broader perspective this week, and it’s possible they may have a different attitude toward raising fees and taxes on producers. But at a time when both substance-abuse-treatment officials and sector leaders are looking for ways to bring in more revenue, it’s likely that one side will not find what they need in the outcome of the discussions.
https://tsscolorado.com/bills-seek-to-make-alcohol-producers-pay-more-for-substance-abuse-mental-health-treatment/

RNZ (New Zealand) - First-ever substance harm action plan unveiled
The "first-ever" government Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm was launched on Wednesday morning, bringing together current initiatives and introducing new actions that will be resourced with an additional $3m.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/589917/first-ever-substance-harm-action-plan-unveiled

IAS (Ireland) - Alcohol industry pushback forces Irish Government to kick health warning labels down the road
Last year, the alcohol industry managed to delay Ireland’s alcohol health warning labels (AHWLs) for another 2 years. What’s going on and what arguments did they make?
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/03/17/alcohol-industry-pushback-forces-irish-government-to-kick-health-warning-labels-down-the-road/

WRD News - Major Study Confirms All Alcohol Carries Health Risks, Regardless of Drink Choice
A landmark study tracking more than 340,000 adults over 13 years has found that alcohol raises the risk of death, and no amount is entirely safe.
https://wrdnews.org/drinking-and-mortality-risk-what-a-340000-person-study-found/

NordAN (Norway) - A political hangover: Norway’s 6 AM World Cup drinking proposal
After a 28-year wait, the Norwegian men's national football team has finally qualified for the World Cup. However, as fans prepare for matches hosted in the US, Mexico, and Canada, a heated debate has broken out back home.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/a-political-hangover-norway-s-6-am-world-cup-drinking-proposal

NordAN (Denmark) - Politicians and residents shared personal stories about addiction
At Blå Kors Pensionat in Taastrup, an election debate quickly became personal when local parliamentary candidates Marie Brixtofte (Venstre) and Maria Durhuus (Socialdemokratiet) spoke openly about having alcohol and drug addiction close to their own lives.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/politicians-and-residents-shared-personal-stories-about-addiction

FASD News - 11/2026

Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Over 300 families seek help for child foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
More than 300 families with concerns that their young children may be suffering from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have reached out for help to a national support service since the start of this year.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41809820.html

Midwest Radio (Ireland) - FASD recognition for Roscommon NS
Ballinlough National School in Roscommon has made national history by becoming the first school in Ireland to be formally recognised as an ‘FASD Aware School’, following the completion of the FASD in the Classroom training programme by its entire staff team.
https://www.midwestradio.ie/news/fasd-recognition-for-roscommon-ns/

KBTX News 3 - Dad’s health matters too: Texas A&M research reveals paternal choices shape a child’s lifelong health
A father’s health before conception could determine his child’s lifelong health outcomes, according to research from Texas A&M University that challenges the singular focus on maternal health.
https://www.kbtx.com/2026/02/27/dads-health-matters-too-texas-am-research-reveals-paternal-choices-shape-childs-lifelong-health/

FASD United (USA) - The Need for State Advocacy
Understanding where fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)is being addressed within your state’s systems is essential to improving how people with FASD and their families are supported.
https://nofaspolicycenter.org/the-need-for-state-advocacy/

CanFASD (Canada) - Everything you need to know about Bill S-234: Canada’s path to a National FASD Framework
Canada has a critical opportunity to transform how we prevent, diagnose, and support people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With Bill S-234, the Federal Government can establish a coordinated, evidence-based national framework for FASD, a long-standing priority for families, advocates, researchers, and service providers across the country.
https://canfasd.ca/2026/03/04/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bill-s-234-canadas-path-to-a-national-fasd-framework/

Australian Government - Australia's mothers and babies
The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and entwined with many social and cultural activities. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy can lead to poorer perinatal outcomes including low birthweight, being small for gestational age, pre-term birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) (NHMRC 2020).
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/antenatal-period/alcohol

 

VIDEOS
NEOMED: Project ECHO - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Youth: Best Practices in Screening & Treatment - SoC ECHO
The information shared during this presentation solely represents the opinions and expertise of the presenter and is not that of Northeast Ohio Medical University unless expressly stated otherwise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZ5eyFgDW8

FASD Hub Australia - Supporting adolescents with FASD: Tips for secondary educators
Presented by the FASD Hub and Learning with FASD, this webinar focused on practical strategies for supporting adolescents with FASD in secondary settings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COuptxNHotY

Creating a Family - Raising a Child With FASD To Thrive
Are you raising a child with known prenatal exposure to alcohol? Does your child have a diagnosis for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder? Listen to this conversation with Barb Clark, Founder and CEO of FASD Mosaic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXBZOVbHaDQ

Undivided - FASD in IEPs
Supporting a child with FASD is so important, and it can also feel incredibly hard when schools don’t fully understand brain-based differences or aren’t sure how FASD fits into special education categories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TynwpDlv9Ho

NCFE - Teaching Assistant (TA) Forum: Raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
This informative, CPD event will focus on raising awareness of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h03R1wk5Bao

The Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Council - The Australian Alcohol and Other Drugs Council
Would you like to learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in an AOD service context?  Do you want to build your confidence in working with people who have been diagnosed or have possible FASD?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzX25RXU-bA

Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York - Workshop 8B: Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders as a Caregiver | AFFCNY
Children prenatally exposed to alcohol become adults with FASD. Understanding that the permanent brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure may be the reasons individuals with FASD fail in school, treatment, in the workforce, and with relationships, can help us to form strategies that may work and help the individual have a successful, happy life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq021c3brho

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Understanding Cognitive Rigidity with Eileen Devine
In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper welcomes Eileen Devine, a prominent figure in the FASD community and host of the Brain First Parenting podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBr3ZsiitT0

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Empowering Change: Shannon's Insights on FASD and Mental Health
In this episode of Living with FASD, Shannon returns to share her journey over the past three years since her last appearance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7aPZSw5J4E

Leibniz-Institut – BIPS - Community-based counseling against alcohol consumption during pregnancy
At the BIPS Institute Seminar, Petal Petersen Williams presented a community-based counseling program that addresses alcohol consumption during pregnancy in South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmm0U7Le34c

 

RESEARCH
Frontiers in Psychology - A randomised controlled study of Dog Assisted Therapy: comparing a short and a long version for patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
The present randomised controlled trial aimed to compare the therapeutic impact of a short version (8 weekly sessions) versus a long version (16 sessions) of a manualised DAT protocol on clinical, functional, and family outcomes in children and adolescents with FASD.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1720834/abstract

PloS one - A register-based study of long-term health and social care costs among children with prenatal alcohol exposure
Early diagnosis of FASD may mitigate secondary complications and associated costs emerging in adolescence. Prevention policies are urgently needed at primary, secondary and tertiary level.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0332113

Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology - An updated fetal alcohol spectrum disorder assessment protocol for the forensic context
This article updates a recommended model protocol for assessing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the forensic context, which was originally proposed in 2010 to operationalize that specialized process (Novick Brown et al., 2010) and expanded in a textbook (Novick Brown, 2021).
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-39217-001

Medical Journal of Australia - Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Overview of the Development Process and Revised Diagnostic Criteria
The guidelines include 11 GRADE-based recommendations, forming the core of the diagnostic criteria, and 11 lived experience statements, supporting client-centred assessment approaches. The guidelines also feature 40 good practice statements and 18 implementation considerations, tools and tips as practical resources and supports for practitioners.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/mja2.70159

Journal of Neurochemistry - Iron Depletion in the Substantia Nigra of Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
These exploratory findings provide the first evidence in humans that PAE alters brain iron homeostasis, highlighting iron metabolism as a potentially modifiable pathway contributing to the neurodevelopmental burden of FASD.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jnc.70390

Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Updating guidelines for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Poland
The updated national guidelines may improve the quality and standardization of FASD diagnosis not only in Poland, but also worldwide. The practical utility of each recommendation should be continuously monitored, validated, and updated.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41784045/

The Journal of Pediatrics - A National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Learning Collaborative for Pediatric Care Teams
The SAFEST Choice program successfully trained pediatric healthcare teams in two year-long FASD learning collaboratives with high levels of participation. Participants had increased self-reported knowledge, confidence, and practice change related to FASD identification and care.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950541026000050

Behavioural Sciences & the Law - FASD and Intellectual Disability Equivalence: A Meta-Analysis of Suggestibility During Forensic Interviews
Intellectual disability (ID) equivalence describes conditions in which individuals function cognitively and adaptively at levels comparable to ID without meeting IQ-based diagnostic criteria.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/bsl.70052

International Journal of Addiction Nursing - Development of the Safe Start Intervention: A Computer- and Nurse-Delivered Alcohol Reduction Intervention for Pregnant Women
Interventions to reduce alcohol use during pregnancy that can be integrated within prenatal care are urgently needed. If efficacious in reducing alcohol use, the Safe Start intervention offers the promise of a brief, cost-effective, easily disseminated intervention for pregnant women who consume alcohol.
https://journals.lww.com/jan/abstract/9900/development_of_the_safe_start_intervention__a.20.aspx

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Prenatal alcohol exposure, birthweight, and externalizing behavior in children: Insights from sex-stratified four-way decomposition
Early identification and intervention for children with PAE have been shown to mitigate the risk of more severe secondary impacts.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70266

Brain Imaging and Behavior - Associations between white matter micro- and macro-structure and attention in 6-7-year-old children with low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure
This study investigated white matter correlates of attention in children with low to moderate levels of prenatal alcohol exposure and controls whose mothers abstained from alcohol.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12935816/

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