Alcohol News - 30/2026

The Conversation (South Africa) - Alcohol’s hidden calories: product labels could help fight obesity in South Africa
South Africa is grappling with an obesity crisis. Nearly half of adults are overweight or obese. Public discussion often focuses on ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks as reasons for weight gain. But there’s another source of calories that’s often overlooked: alcoholic drinks.
https://theconversation.com/alcohols-hidden-calories-product-labels-could-help-fight-obesity-in-south-africa-288208

BBC - Why is everyone ditching alcohol?
You might have heard Gen Z being called the “sober generation” - the data suggests that we’re less likely to drink than older generations, that alcohol-free brands are getting more popular with under-30s and there’s a huge push towards sobriety and wellness culture more generally.
https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct994j

TVP World (Poland) - Last call? Poles turn away from alcohol as abstinence hits record high
The study, published on Thursday by Poland's Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS), found that the share of adults declaring complete abstinence had risen by 7 percentage points since 2019.
https://tvpworld.com/94613992/record-number-of-poles-give-up-alcohol-as-wine-overtakes-beer-survey

Croatia Week (Croatia) - Split introduces night time alcohol sales ban until 15 September
The Split City Council approved a temporary ban yesterday on the sale of alcoholic drinks in shops and other retail outlets during overnight hours, as part of efforts to improve public order and reduce disturbances during the busy summer season.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/split-night-time-alcohol-sales-ban-september/

BBC (UK) - Alcohol ban introduced at five local hospitals
A formal alcohol ban is to be introduced across five Liverpool hospitals. Staff will ask patients, visitors and employees to hand over alcohol so it can be disposed of, while security may be called if they refuse.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4jvz5lyko

Conexiant (USA) - Prenatal Alcohol Use May Be on the Rise
National survey data suggest current alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking became more common during pregnancy from 2011 to 2024, although recent estimates indicated the upward trend may be stabilizing.
https://www.conexiant.com/Family-Medicine/viewarticle?id=ee895549-bf70-4512-89c7-a7543f5df054&pub=Conexiant

The Examination - How AI helped us uncover Red Bull’s influence on energy drink research
An investigation using AI-assisted analysis found that 95% of studies linked financially to Red Bull concluded that mixing alcohol and energy drinks posed no added risk, while about 80% of independent studies reached the opposite conclusion.
https://www.theexamination.org/articles/red-bull-alcohol-research-methodology

MedicalXpress - Alcohol intervention is successful in humanitarian setting
The first known randomized trial of an alcohol-reduction intervention in a humanitarian setting found a significant, sustained effect in lowering alcohol use. The study, which focused on the Mantapala refugee settlement in northern Zambia, was led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in collaboration with partners across six countries.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-alcohol-intervention-successful-humanitarian.html

Medical Independent (Ireland) - Low-risk alcohol guideline sunder the spotlight
Ireland’s low-risk alcohol guidelines were last updated in 2015. With the guidelines currently under review, many health experts believe this represents an opportunity to positively impact trends in alcohol use.
https://www.medicalindependent.ie/in-the-news/news-features/low-risk-alcohol-guideline-sunder-the-spotlight/

YLE (Finland) - Fewer drink-drivers this summer, but more drunk e-scooter riders
Police report catching fewer drink-drivers than during last summer's surveillance effort, even though they carried out 17 percent more breathalyser tests this year.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20238596

IAS - New film shows how alcohol marketers target vulnerable people and children
In our latest Explained film, Digital Intoxication, we look at how digital alcohol marketing actually works: the algorithms that find people already drinking heavily and target them “disproportionately”, the influencers (including The Rock, Beyonce, and Kendall Jenner) promoting their own alcohol brands to hundreds of millions of followers without ad disclosure, and the rise of alcohol marketing inside e-sports, video games, and even the metaverse.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/new-film-shows-how-alcohol-marketers-target-vulnerable-people-and-children/

NordAN (Denmark) - New survey: More Danes are choosing to go without alcohol
Four in ten Danes have deliberately avoided alcohol for a period during the past year, while the proportion choosing a completely alcohol-free lifestyle has increased substantially. A new survey conducted by Voxmeter for Blue Cross Denmark suggests that the country’s drinking culture is changing.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-survey-more-danes-are-choosing-to-go-without-alcohol

Alcohol News - 29/2026

AP News (Germany) - German railway to ban consuming alcohol at all its stations, with some exemptions
Germany’s national railway operator said Tuesday that it is banning alcohol consumption at all stations on the network in an effort to improve security and cleanliness for employees and passengers — though there will be exemptions, including for station bars and restaurants.
https://apnews.com/article/germany-railway-stations-alcohol-ban-f8ed391e13136272722431d38833461e

Business Insider - Gen Z is in their alcohol era
Endless ink has been spilled — or, since we're in the digital era, pixels rendered— about Gen Z's aversion to alcohol. The online narrative has been that the youngs are teetotalers, recusing themselves from America's big bad drinking culture and having all sorts of booze-free fun. Millennials are the real drunks, the story goes, and the generational up-and-comers are taking the high road. Turns out, though, that Gen Z is not that different. They've just taken their time to get to the bar.
https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-drinking-alcohol-moderation-sobriety-new-data-2026-7

The Conversation - Not just cigarettes and alcohol: why the ‘Oasis index’ and others like it offer real economic insights
Many Melburnians were aghast to learn their city had won a trophy no one wants: the most expensive night out in the world. At least, that’s according to the “Oasis index”, an annual metric from the research team at Deutsche Bank.
https://theconversation.com/not-just-cigarettes-and-alcohol-why-the-oasis-index-and-others-like-it-offer-real-economic-insights-288090

The Atlantic - The Researchers Who Want Dads-to-Be to Stop Drinking
Pretty much everyone knows that women aren’t supposed to have alcohol while they’re pregnant. Even just a drink a day, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns, can cause lifelong problems with a baby’s coordination, behavior, and learning.
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/2026/07/alcohol-conception-fathers-men/687943/

The Conversation - Alcohol, sex and violence: a dangerous cocktail that makes young women vulnerable to HIV
South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 at the highest risk of getting HIV. HIV prevalence among girls and women in this age group is roughly double that of their male peers.
https://theconversation.com/alcohol-sex-and-violence-a-dangerous-cocktail-that-makes-young-women-vulnerable-to-hiv-287349

OurAuckland (New Zealand) - Auckland's alcohol policy showing early signs of success
Auckland's Local Alcohol Policy is starting to show promising results, with early data pointing to fewer alcohol-related incidents and strong compliance from businesses.
https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/07/auckland-s-alcohol-policy-showing-early-signs-of-success/

Cabin Radio (Canada) - NWT, Nunavut defend not signing direct-to-consumer alcohol deal
The NWT and Nunavut governments say they chose not to sign a Canada-wide direct-to-consumer alcohol agreement because of “unique realities” in the two territories.
https://cabinradio.ca/302006/news/politics/nwt-nunavut-defend-not-signing-direct-to-consumer-alcohol-deal/

CBC (Canada) - Alcohol costs P.E.I. more than it brings in, new provincial strategy says
Prince Edward Island recently released a new provincial alcohol strategy aimed at reducing illness and harms linked to drinking, and experts say it puts the province ahead of much of the country.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-new-alcohol-strategy-9.7270925

IAS blog - Alcohol, crime and public judgements: what shapes the public’s view on punishment?
Public debate about alcohol-related offending sits at the intersection of criminal justice, public health, and moral judgement. Questions about intoxication, dependence, and treatment are frequently raised in discussions of culpability and sentencing—but how the public actually weighs these factors is less well understood.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/07/21/alcohol-crime-and-public-judgements-what-shapes-the-publics-view-on-punishment/

Public Health Communication Center (New Zealand) - More prevention, less 'modern corruption’: A call-to-action to protect public health
Health Coalition Aotearoa is calling for evidence-based prevention policies around harmful products in our newly launched call-to-action, Prevention Brief 2026.
https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/more-prevention-less-modern-corruption-call-action-protect-public-health

University of Manchester - Later licensing hours linked to rise in alcohol-related ambulance call-outs and crime
Extending late-night alcohol sales have been associated with increases in alcohol-related harm, according to a new study which examined the effects of licensing changes in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/later-licensing-hours-linked-to-rise-in-alcohol-related-ambulance-call-outs-and-crime/

Alcohol Awareness - Temporary alcohol-free campaigns may encourage longer-term change
Taking a month or several months away from alcohol may do more than create a short break. New research from Thailand suggests that people who complete a temporary sobriety campaign are substantially more likely to consider giving up alcohol altogether.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/07/23/temporary-alcohol-free-campaigns-may-encourage-longer-term-change/

Alcohol and Cancer - Do breast cancer and irregular heartbeat have common risk factors and rates?
Alcohol use and smoking were linked to breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 years and older in multiple regions of the world, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/do-breast-cancer-and-irregular-heartbeat-have-common-risk-factors-and-rates

Alcohol News - 28/2026

The Conversation - The 2026 World Cup has been a tournament where alcohol brands hoped to win influence through sponsorship
The 2026 men’s football World Cup has provided great goals, shock results and plenty of entertainment. It has also been extremely lucrative, earning Fifa billions of dollars in broadcasting rights, ticket sales and commercial sponsorship.
https://theconversation.com/the-2026-world-cup-has-been-a-tournament-where-alcohol-brands-hoped-to-win-influence-through-sponsorship-287532

BBC (England) - England advised to avoid alcohol around matches
England men's players have been advised to avoid drinking alcohol on the day before and the day after matches, under new behaviour guidelines.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cvg5yg4lng4o

Novinite.com (Croatia) - Makarska Becomes First Croatian City to Ban Overnight Alcohol Sales
The Croatian coastal city of Makarska has become the first municipality in the country to prohibit the nighttime  sale of alcohol in  retail outlets after the city council approved new restrictions aimed at reducing disturbances during the busy  tourist season.
https://www.novinite.com/articles/239630/Makarska+Becomes+First+Croatian+City+to+Ban+Overnight+Alcohol+Sales

Contemporary OB/GYN (USA) - CDC: 15% of US women report drinking alcohol during pregnancy
More than 1 in 7 pregnant women in the United States reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, according to a June 2026 analysis of 2021–2024 survey data, published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/cdc-women-drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy

Medical Xpress - People with disabilities are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder at much higher rates than non-disabled people
A new study found that adults with disabilities had more than three times the rate of AUD diagnoses compared with adults without disabilities in the U.S., with particularly high rates among disabled men and people with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-people-disabilities-alcohol-disorder-higher.html

WDET 101.9 FM (USA) - Detroit Evening Report: Alcohol, cannabis ads may soon be banned from being near religious buildings
Houses of worship may soon be added to the list of sensitive locations where certain advertisements are not allowed within a 1000-foot radius.
https://wdet.org/2026/07/14/detroit-evening-report-alcohol-cannabis-ads-may-soon-be-banned-from-being-near-religious-buildings/

Medical Xpress - Alcohol intoxication, stress in adolescence linked with long-term impairments
Repeated alcohol intoxication or exposure to stress appears to change how adolescent brains respond to danger. These changes persist into adulthood.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-alcohol-intoxication-stress-adolescence-linked.html

STAT News (USA) - 12 ideas for tackling the U.S. alcohol epidemic
Drinking’s deadly toll in the U.S. is the result of decades of policy decisions, industry influence, and cultural inertia, as STAT shows in its investigative series, The Deadliest Drug. The U.S. has not made a concerted effort to reduce heavy drinking since Prohibition ended nearly a century ago.
https://www.statnews.com/2026/07/14/alcohol-health-issues-deadliest-drug-series-final-installment-solutions/

IAS Blog - Stigma isn’t only out there. It can be written into the way we work
When we talk about stigma related to drug and alcohol use, we are drawn to looking outwards as if it’s a beast on the horizon.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/07/14/stigma-isnt-only-out-there-it-can-be-written-into-the-way-we-work/

Philippine News Agency (Philippine) - Baguio health board backs creation of alcohol regulation task force
The Baguio City Local Health Board is pushing for the creation of the City Alcohol Regulation and Enforcement (CARE) Task Force to strengthen interagency coordination and reduce alcohol-related harm.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1279486

NordAN (Norway) - Majority want the same blood alcohol limit at sea as on the road
A survey conducted by YouGov for Tryg Insurance in Norway shows that 55 per cent of respondents want the same blood alcohol limit at sea as on the road.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/majority-want-the-same-blood-alcohol-limit-at-sea-as-on-the-road

NordAN (Iceland) - Icelandic prevention organisations demand action against illegal online alcohol sales
A coalition of Icelandic prevention and public health organisations has called on the police to immediately stop online alcohol sales that they say are taking place in violation of Icelandic law.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/icelandic-prevention-organisations-demand-action-against-illegal-online-alcohol-sales

Alcohol News - 27/2026

Spotlight (South Africa) - What 49 000 Western Cape teenagers taught us about preventing alcohol abuse and violence
A survey of 49 000 teenagers in the Western Cape reminds us that preventing violence does not begin in a hospital, a police station or a courtroom. It begins much earlier, in families, schools, sports fields, faith communities and neighbourhoods, writes Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger.
https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2026/07/10/mireille-wenger-what-49-000-western-cape-teenagers-taught-us-about-preventing-alcohol-abuse-and-violence/

ERR (Estonia) - Government looking to hike alcohol excise duty, shorten selling hours
Estonia's alcohol policy through 2035 calls, among other measures, for increasing the excise tax on alcohol and shortening the hours during which it can be sold in retail stores.
https://news.err.ee/1610071273/government-looking-to-hike-alcohol-excise-duty-shorten-selling-hours

NL Times (Netherlands) - Aviation groups consider new alcohol rules after rise in drunken passenger disturbances
Dutch aviation organizations are considering changes to alcohol policies at airports and on flights after an increase in disruptive behavior involving intoxicated passengers. One proposal under review is adding warning labels to sealed alcohol packages sold at airports.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/07/09/aviation-groups-consider-new-alcohol-rules-rise-drunken-passenger-disturbances

ScienceDaily - Drinking to cope with stress may permanently rewire your brain
Using alcohol to cope with stress when young may permanently alter the brain, making it harder to adapt to challenges and increasing the risk of returning to drinking later in life.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626030437.htm

RNZ (New Zealand) - Kiwis get 'gold medal for hazardous drinking', alcohol researcher says
New Zealanders over 50 get the gold medal for hazardous drinking when compared with eight other countries, an alcohol researcher says.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/680797/kiwis-get-gold-medal-for-hazardous-drinking-alcohol-researcher-says

Medical News Today - How alcohol may lead to cancer, brain damage, early death: Latest evidence
Alcoholic beverages form a casual part of many people’s lives. Whether as a way of relaxing, a habit indulged in socially, a way of complementing a meal, or a treat to celebrate a special occasion, many people all over the world like to enjoy a drink or two, at least occasionally.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-alcohol-lead-cancer-brain-damage-early-death-latest-evidence

The Straits Times (Singapore) - Lower alcohol limits, jail for first-time drink-driving offenders proposed
The alcohol limit for drivers will be lowered by more than half to deter drink-driving, under legislation proposed on July 7.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/lower-alcohol-limits-jail-for-first-time-drink-driving-offenders-proposed

European Medical Journal - Alcohol Consumption Alters Plasticity in Pre-Frontal Cortex
ALCOHOL consumption alters corticostriatal plasticity in rats, with prolonged voluntary intake producing both post synaptic and presynaptic changes in brain circuits that may contribute to the development of alcohol use disorder.
https://www.emjreviews.com/neurology/news/alcohol-consumption-alters-plasticity-in-pre-frontal-cortex/

Yahoo Health - Alcohol and Health: The Surprising Reason Moderate Is No Longer Safe
If you grew up hearing that a glass of red wine was good for your heart, you were not alone. For much of the late 20th century, moderate drinking carried a halo of legitimacy in public health messaging.
https://health.yahoo.com/your-body/substance-use/alcohol/articles/alcohol-health-surprising-reason-moderate-143454259.html

The Korea Times (South Korea) - Binge drinking surges among Korean women in 30s
For a working mother in her 30s using the pseudonym Lim Ji-hyun, alcohol began as a brief escape at the end of the day. After putting her child to sleep, she would pour one or two glasses of soju, a clear Korean liquor, treating the drink as a small reward after hours of work and child care.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260708/binge-drinking-surges-among-korean-women-in-30s

World Health Organisation (Lao PDR) - Protecting youth and public health from alcohol marketing: Time to put people over profits
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), festivals, community gatherings and sporting events play a central role in bringing people together. When alcohol brands sponsor such occasions—plastering logos at youth sporting or cultural events—they normalize drinking and associate it with health, success, and celebration.
https://www.who.int/laos/news/commentaries/detail/protecting-youth-and-public-health-from-alcohol-marketing--time-to-put-people-over-profits

Japan Today (Japan) - Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs, yet its presence is ubiquitous in social settings and celebrations
Few substances are as deeply woven into everyday life as alcohol. It is a fixture at holiday celebrations, work-related social gatherings, sporting events, airports, and brunch or dinner tables.
https://japantoday.com/category/features/health/alcohol-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-drugs-yet-its-presence-is-ubiquitous-in-social-settings-and-celebrations

NordAN (Denmark) - New survey: More Danes want alcohol to play a smaller role
Almost two in three Danes believe Denmark needs to change its drinking culture so that alcohol plays a smaller role, according to a new survey conducted by Voxmeter on behalf of Blue Cross Denmark. This represents an increase compared with last year.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-survey-more-danes-want-alcohol-to-play-a-smaller-role

Forward Trust (UK) - Addiction in the UK - a new landmark report about drug and alcohol use in the UK
Today, a new landmark report is released that reveals the extent of drug and alcohol addiction across the UK – the first time it has been done across the four nations.
https://forwardtrust.org.uk/news/article/addiction-in-the-uk-a-new-landmark-report-about-drug-and-alcohol-use-in-the-uk

Cambridge News (UK) - Cancer Research UK warns alcohol linked to 'seven types of cancer'
People have been cautioned that alcohol can cause seven types of cancer, and even small amounts can increase health risks. Cancer Research UK issued a health warning via an Instagram post, highlighting the dangers associated with the widely consumed drink.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/health/cancer-research-uk-warns-alcohol-34249782

NordAN (Sweden) - MHF calls for alcohol and age limits for e-scooter riders
MHF is calling for a legal blood alcohol limit and zero tolerance for riding under the influence, as well as mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders of all ages. The proposals were adopted on Sunday during the annual meeting of the Swedish road safety organisation MHF.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/mhf-calls-for-alcohol-and-age-limits-for-e-scooter-riders

Alcohol Awareness (UK) - Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 asks: “Alcohol and me, what’s your story?”
Alcohol Awareness Week is taking place from 6 to 12 July 2026 under the theme “Alcohol and me.” Organised by Alcohol Change UK, the campaign invites people to take a moment to consider how alcohol may be affecting their health and wellbeing.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/07/06/alcohol-awareness-week-2026-asks-alcohol-and-me-whats-your-story/

Alcohol News - 26/2026

News-Medical (Sweden) - Study links alcohol to fatal electric scooter crashes in Sweden
In almost half of all fatal electric scooter crashes in Sweden, the rider has been under the influence of alcohol. These fatal crashes occur mainly in the evenings or through the night, and in all cases, no helmet has been worn.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260702/Study-links-alcohol-to-fatal-electric-scooter-crashes-in-Sweden.aspx

ERR (Estonia) - Tartu looking to ban sale of bottled alcohol after 10 p.m.
Tartu has unveiled a preliminary nightlife strategy through 2035 aimed at making the city's nightlife safer.
https://news.err.ee/1610067133/tartu-looking-to-ban-sale-of-bottled-alcohol-after-10-p-m

The Conversation - Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs, yet its presence is ubiquitous in social settings and celebrations
Few substances are as deeply woven into everyday life as alcohol. It is a fixture at holiday celebrations, work-related social gatherings, sporting events, airports, and brunch or dinner tables.
https://theconversation.com/alcohol-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-drugs-yet-its-presence-is-ubiquitous-in-social-settings-and-celebrations-278631

World Health Organisation - Implementing what works in alcohol policy: progress report on the SAFER initiative
This report documents progress since the 2018 launch of SAFER – WHO's initiative to help countries implement the five most effective and cost–effective alcohol policy measures: strengthening restrictions on alcohol availability; advancing and enforcing drink–driving countermeasures; facilitating access to screening, brief intervention and treatment; enforcing bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion; and raising prices through excise taxes and pricing policies.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240120587

Warwickshire County Council (UK) - Promoting positive change and healthier lifestyles across Warwickshire this Alcohol Awareness Week 2026
For many people, alcohol can feel like a normal part of life, especially during the summer months when we’re getting together more with friends and family.
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/7821/promoting-positive-change-and-healthier-lifestyles-across-warwickshire-this-alcohol-awareness-week-2026

YouGov (USA) - Why 36% of Americans are drinking less alcohol in 2026
New data from YouGov Profiles shows that while most Americans who drink say their alcohol consumption has remained unchanged over the past year, those cutting back far outnumber those who are drinking more.
https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/55082-why-36-of-americans-are-drinking-less-alcohol-in-2026

STAT News - Booze schmooze: The alcohol industry, frazzled by headwinds, wields its power behind the scenes
Len Lichtenfeld had a long-overdue apology to make. He was haunted in late 2024 by an exchange with a New York Times reporter almost a decade earlier, during which Lichtenfeld defended the American Cancer Society’s official stance that a drink or two a day was safe, even for cancer prevention.
https://www.statnews.com/2026/07/01/alcohol-lobby-immense-power-explored-deadliest-drug-part-7/

PsyPost - Brain network patterns in childhood linked to early alcohol use
Children who go on to start drinking alcohol before age 15 may already show distinctive patterns of brain organization years earlier, according to research published in Translational Psychiatry.
https://www.psypost.org/brain-network-patterns-in-childhood-linked-to-early-alcohol-use/

IAS Blog - Applying behavioural insights to cut alcohol with no- and low-alcohol drinks
In recent years, No-and Low- alcohol (NoLo) drinks have become increasingly popular. If handled well, this could have the potential to reduce alcohol harm making it easier for consumers to switch from higher alcohol drinks to NoLo alternatives.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/06/30/applying-behavioural-insights-to-cut-alcohol-with-no-and-low-alcohol-drinks/

Irish Independent (Ireland) - World Health Organisation backs Sligo’s community-led push to reduce alcohol-related härm
Sligo has officially become one of Ireland’s Building SAFER Communities locations, joining a growing number of communities implementing the World Health Organisation’s evidence-based SAFER framework to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.
https://www.independent.ie/county/sligo/world-health-organisation-backs-sligos-community-led-push-to-reduce-alcohol-related-harm/a/158000249.html

The Nation (Thailand) - Thailand considers broader alcohol dispenser restrictions
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee had ordered further study of a draft Prime Minister’s Office announcement after a meeting at the Public Health Ministry on June 29, 2026.
https://www.nationthailand.com/health-wellness/40068065

Emmanuel College - Correlating Alcohol Consumption and Cancer
This new lens on Cannataro’s body of research was inspired by a recent report from the Office of the United States Surgeon General, which compiles multiple studies emphasizing how alcohol consumption has proven to increase the risk of as many as seven different types of cancers (2025).
https://www.emmanuel.edu/pulse/story/summer-research-series-correlating-alcohol-consumption-and-cancer

NordAN (Norway) - FHI evaluation: Norway unlikely to reach alcohol reduction target without stronger measures
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has published a qualitative midterm evaluation of Norway’s National Alcohol Strategy for 2021 to 2030. The evaluation was commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Care Services and asked FHI to assess both the implementation of the strategy and whether Norway’s target of a 20 percent reduction in alcohol consumption from 2010 to 2030 is realistic with today’s policy instruments.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/fhi-evaluation-norway-unlikely-to-reach-alcohol-reduction-target-without-stronger-measures

Alcohol Awareness (Australia) - Dry July 2026 invites Australians to go alcohol-free for cancer support
Australians are again being invited to take a month off alcohol this July through Dry July 2026, a national fundraising campaign supporting people affected by cancer.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/07/01/dry-july-2026-invites-australians-to-go-alcohol-free-for-cancer-support/

Alcohol and Cancer (Netherlands) - Dutch Health Council: There is no safe level of alcohol use, even one drink a day carries risks
The Dutch Health Council has advised the government to denormalise and discourage alcohol use, concluding that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. According to the Council, even one glass of alcohol per day carries health risks, including an increased risk of cancer.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/dutch-health-council-there-is-no-safe-level-of-alcohol-use-even-one-drink-a-day-carries-risks

Alcohol News - 25/2026

The Lancet - The beautiful ad: alcohol promotion at the 2026 men's World Cup
The men's World Cup is fleeting and will only return in 4 years, but its deceptive business model will remain, facilitating the mass marketing of alcohol. Governments must take charge of their role in setting limits on this commercial privilege, rather than acting as partners to the alcohol industry.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2826%2901255-9/fulltext

Le Monde.fr - Mexico City to ban alcohol sales during Mexico-Czechia game after last week's massive World Cup celebration
Mexico City's government will ban the sale of alcohol during the World Cup match between Mexico and Czechia on Wednesday, June 24, when thousands will gather on downtown streets to watch the game.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/06/23/mexico-city-to-ban-alcohol-sales-during-mexico-czechia-game-after-last-week-s-massive-world-cup-celebration_6754808_4.html

The Guardian (France) - Paris to ban drinking alcohol in public as hospitals hit heatwave breaking point
Parisians will ⁠be temporarily banned ​from drinking alcohol in public as hospitals in the capital buckle under a deadly heatwave ‌gripping France ‌and much of Europe.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/26/paris-heatwave-drinking-ban-drinking-alcohol-public

GOV.UK - World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags
Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-cup-booze-ban-for-7300-offenders-thanks-to-crime-cutting-alcohol-tags

Macau Business (Portugal) - Around 1.5M drank alcohol, 1.3M smoked on daily basis in 2025 – INE
Around 1.5 million residents in Portugal consumed alcohol and 1.3 million smoked daily in 2025, according to the National Statistics Institute INE, which identifies men and people aged 45 to 54 as the groups with the highest levels of consumption.
https://macaubusiness.com/portugal-around-1-5m-drank-alcohol-1-3m-smoked-on-daily-basis-in-2025-ine/

NL Times (Netherlands) - Even one alcoholic beverage increases chance of cancer, addiction, brain damage: Study
The Health Council is advising the government to actively discourage alcohol use and reduce its social acceptability. According to the council, even a single daily drink carries health risks, and there is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/06/25/even-one-alcoholic-beverage-increases-chance-cancer-addiction-brain-damage-study

YLE (Finland) - It's official: Finland approves alcohol home deliveries, Alko outlets open on Sundays
Changes to Finland's alcohol laws will permit online sales, home delivery and international sales of alcoholic beverages, as well as more online marketing of spirits.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20232920

CBC (Canada) - Alberta government tells AGLC to cancel raise in minimum price for alcohol at bars
Less than two weeks after the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) raised the minimum prices that bars and restaurants need to charge for alcoholic drinks, the regulatory body has been instructed to change course.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-aglc-minimum-price-reversal-9.7245308

RTE.ie (Ireland) - Alcohol dependence down but more treated for harmful use
Fewer people are presenting with alcohol dependence, but more are entering treatment with harmful or hazardous use, according to the latest figures from the Health Research Board.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0624/1580024-alcohol-use-data/

Scripps Research - Immune molecule may drive excessive drinking in alcohol use disorder
The drugs that keep rheumatoid arthritis in check may one day help people stop drinking. A new Scripps Research study shows that an anti-inflammatory molecule, already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat autoimmune diseases, reduces excessive alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent female mice.
https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2026/20260624-roberto-nature-neuroinflammation.html

EU Perspectives (EU) - Lawmakers back a plan targeting Europe’s biggest killer — and take aim at tobacco and alcohol
Cardiovascular disease kills around 1.7 million Europeans every year, yet the EU has never had a dedicated strategy to tackle it. That is now changing with the Safe Hearts Plan. But as lawmakers backed the initiative on Wednesday, its parliamentary rapporteur warned that the final compromise fell short of her ambitions on tobacco and alcohol.
https://euperspectives.eu/2026/06/lawmakers-back-a-plan-targeting-europes-biggest-killer-and-take-aim-at-tobacco-and-alcohol/

EMJ - Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Shows Dementia Risk
A nationwide cohort study of more than 3 million adults found that dementia risk varied substantially by steatotic liver disease phenotype and alcohol consumption pattern, suggesting that liver health and alcohol exposure may have distinct implications for cognitive outcomes.
https://www.emjreviews.com/neurology/news/alcohol-related-liver-disease-shows-dementia-risk/

WHO Europe - New WHO collaborating centre dedicated to addressing liver disease in European Region
To help address this challenge, WHO, Imperial College London and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) have launched the first WHO collaborating centre in the United Kingdom dedicated to liver disease.
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/24-06-2026-new-who-collaborating-centre-dedicated-to-addressing-liver-disease-in-european-region

Daily Sabah (Türkiye) - Yeşilay study spotlights early alcohol use, health risks in Türkiye
The Turkish Green Crescent Society (Yeşilay) on Wednesday released its latest nationwide study on alcohol consumption, revealing that many individuals in Türkiye try alcohol for the first time before reaching the age of 18 and highlighting growing concerns over the health and social impacts of alcohol use.
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/yesilay-study-spotlights-early-alcohol-use-health-risks-in-turkiye/news/amp

NordAN (Finland) - EHYT: Alcohol delivery sales approved, consequences will hit especially those in vulnerable situations
The Finnish Parliament approved on 23 June 2026 a law change allowing home delivery of alcohol and foreign distance sales by 98 votes to 77. EHYT considers the decision harmful from the perspective of public health and the national economy.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/ehyt-alcohol-delivery-sales-approved-consequences-will-hit-especially-those-in-vulnerable-situatio

NordAN (Sweden) - Seven in ten feel expected to drink alcohol at Midsummer
Togetherness, traditional Midsummer food and the feeling of summer are at the top of the list of what Swedes see as most important for a successful Midsummer celebration. Alcohol ranks far lower. Even so, seven in ten people say there is an expectation to drink alcohol at Midsummer, according to a new survey from Systembolaget.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/seven-in-ten-feel-expected-to-drink-alcohol-at-midsummer

FASD News - 24/2026

University of Salford (UK) - Empowering families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is thought to affect thousands of children across the UK, yet it remains widely under-recognised and poorly understood. Anna Webster, from south Manchester, is helping to change that.
https://www.salford.ac.uk/news/empowering-families-affected-by-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder

Irish Pharmacy Union (Ireland) - Pharmacists advise alcohol‑free pregnancy as the safest choice
The IPU recently issued a press release advising women, partners and families that choosing not to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and when planning a pregnancy, is the safest option for both mother and baby.
https://ipu.ie/ipu-review-article/pharmacists-advise-alcohol-free-pregnancy-as-the-safest-choice/

CBC (Canada) - Bissell Centre formally opens supportive recovery house for people living with FASD in Edmonton
The Bissell Centre’s Den of Willows building has officially opened to offer tailored support for people in Edmonton living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/bissell-centre-den-of-willows-edmonton-fasd-9.7229297

Michigan Advance (USA) - House health panel advances bills to combat elevated blood lead levels, fetal alcohol syndrome
The Michigan House Committee on Health Policy voted on Wednesday morning to advance two packages of bills to combat childhood lead exposure and fetal alcohol syndrome.
https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/house-health-panel-advances-bills-to-combat-elevated-blood-lead-levels-fetal-alcohol-syndrome/

SAPeople (South Africa) - ‘Umqombothi is safer’ and other shocking pregnancy-drinking myths in South Africa
Despite South Africa’s Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) crisis, alarming misconceptions about alcohol consumption during pregnancy continue to persist nationwide, according to a new report.
https://www.sapeople.com/south-african-health/fasd-crisis-10-shocking-pregnancy-drinking-myths-in-south-africa/

Eyewitness News (South Africa) - Half of South Africans have seen pregnant women drinking alcohol, study reveals
A new report has found that drinking during pregnancy remains deeply normalised in South Africa, with more than half of respondents saying they have seen pregnant women consuming alcohol.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/06/17/half-of-south-africans-have-seen-pregnant-women-drinking-alcohol-study-reveals

FASD – CAN (New Zealand) - FASD-CAN in 'everyday' magazine for educators
We're stoked to see an article by our Principal and Practice Advisor, Kim Milne, appearing in NZ education magazine 'everyday'. It's a multi-page overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder for kaiako / teachers and other school support staff.
https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/fasd_can_in_everyday_magazine_for_educators

FASD – CAN (New Zealand) - Inaugural hui of new FASD advocacy group
On Wednesday June 3, a group of seven people with FASD and some of their caregivers gathered in Pōneke, Wellington to take part in an advocacy planning day. The attendees have connections to FASD-CAN through our Tītoki camps and Pizza Clubs, as well as via various support groups.
https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/inaugural_hui_of_new_fasd_advocacy_group

American Family Physician (USA) - Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Alcohol use during pregnancy increases health risks for the developing baby, ranging from miscarriage and sudden infant death syndrome to preterm birth and developmental problems.
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2026/0600/funded-educational-content-alcohol-use-during-pregnancy-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders

 

VIDEOS
University of Salford - Empowering families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is thought to affect thousands of children across the UK, yet it remains widely under-recognised and poorly understood. Anna Webster, from south Manchester, is helping to change that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRGCsFQ-suY

M.I. understanding - The "S" in FASD changes everything
What does the "spectrum" in FASD actually mean? 🤔 It means that same diagnosis, completely different brains! We’re breaking down how everyone with FASD has their own unique mix of strengths and challenges, and bringing the facts straight to your feed in Part 3 of our social series: What is FASD?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/phI3NUzHIbg

College of Health - The Enduring Impact of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders at Midlife
Dr. Susan Stoner (University of Washington) presents the inaugural Schild Nicholson Neurodiversity Lecture: "Enduring Impact of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure — Research Examining Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders at Midlife."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZyX3tuW6gc

Canadian Child Care Federation CCCF-FCSGE - Understanding FASD in Early Learning: New Online Course
What is FASD and how can early childhood educators support young children who may be affected? In this webinar recording, presenter Kathy Unsworth discusses Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in early learning environments and introduces CanFASD’s brand-new online training course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBC6sO9UzPo

VideoParliament Ireland - Sharon Keogan: Calls for Statutory FASD Diagnosis Pathway
Sharon Keogan urged the Department of Health and the HSE to establish a statutory clinical diagnosis pathway for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) after attending a recent briefing and the FASD conference in Ennis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAoSJDjI4Yw

FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - Glimpses of FASD - Meet Rylee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWNWNweNMYY

FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - What the FASD Respect Act Teaches Us About Building Policy - FASD Research Conference 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nwZsPLjmdk

FASD Training Australia - FASD, Complex neurodivergence and Empathy 2026
Learn about the brain domains, skills and abilities underlying empathy and how these can be impacted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nlUxphJUdQ

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) - From Evidence to Impact: Prevention Education to Address Child Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
This webinar highlights approaches for researchers and decision-makers in schools, nonprofits, and other institutions who are considering integrating prevention education into existing programming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JRbqEgqhTA

Neurological warrior – DJP - Dr. Liam Curran on FASD: Social Work Practice; Challenges and Opportunities
Across health, social care, education, and community services, professionals and caregivers are increasingly encountering children, young people, and adults whose needs cannot be understood through a purely medical lens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JukoKeNLyu8

CanFASD - Emerging Action in Research: CanFASD Trainee Webinar Series 2026 Part 1
In 2026, eleven trainees participated in the CanFASD Trainee Program. This is a chance to learn what the next generation of Canadian FASD researchers and providers are accomplishing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qCpSTTZ3A

Avoiding the Addiction Affliction – "Proof Alliance, Addressing FASDs" with Mollie O’Brien
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) affect up to 1 in 20 people and is particularly prevalent among young people in the adoption and fostering system. As a hidden brain injury, FASDs can manifest in ways that often lead to challenging behaviors, which makes diagnosis and intervention challenging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF-uAZjbjQU

Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Harrison’s Hope: Building a Lifespan Support System with Mary Byrnes
In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Patti is joined by Mary Byrnes, founder of Harrison’s Hope, a Canadian charity dedicated to supporting families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB_WYS3zz0c

Harrison's Hope FASD - FASD, Polyvagal Theory & Caregiver Support with Tanya Eichler | Harrison’s Hope Webinar
What happens when we stop seeing behavior as “misbehavior” and start understanding it as the nervous system doing its best to survive?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR0PFFC1L-w

 

RESEARCH
ERIC - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinics in Canada: "It Wouldn't Happen if Nobody Wanted It to Happen"
We address the question: If you wanted to start a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic clinic, what would you need to do, think about, and plan for, from a policy perspective?
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1505391

Alcohol - The Effects of Developmental Ethanol Exposure & Postnatal Choline Supplementation on Long-Term Choline Metabolism
Although alcohol likely impacts fetal development through many mechanisms, PAE could impact metabolism of choline, an essential nutrient that is important for brain development and function.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0741832926002132

bioRxiv - Epileptiform Discharges Drive Unique High-frequency Oscillations Within the Retrosplenial Cortex of Mice with Third Trimester Alcohol Exposure
We observed a large number of Epileptiform Discharges (EDs) in alcohol-exposed subjects compared to controls, which were found to drive with High-frequency Oscillations (HFOs).
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.04.729968v1.abstract

University of Saskatchewan - Advancing National Strategies for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Mela et al.’s Research in Supporting Bill S-234
This paper synthesizes research led by Dr. Mansfield Mela to highlight the potential of this framework in addressing systemic inequities, reducing Indigenous over incarceration, and diverting economic resources to prevention.
https://sencanada.ca/Content/Sen/Committee/451/SOCI/briefs/SOCI_S-234_Brief_Dr-Mansfield-Mela_e.pdf

University of Edinburgh - Health professionals’ views and experiences of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): “If we’re not thinking FASD, we’re not assessing it, we’re not diagnosing it”
Multi-disciplinary approaches and neurodevelopmental assessment pathways/services can support complexity in FASD practice. Clinician roles in diagnostic practice can contribute to positive experiences of diagnosis, disability, and identity for young people.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/health-professionals-views-and-experiences-of-fetal-alcohol-spect/

Nursing Problems - The impact of smoking and alcohol consumption on fetal development: a review
The review is based on the available Polish literature from the last 16 years, selected by the keywords presented above. Cigarettes and alcohol are the most popular stimulants, used by millions of people around the world every day.
https://www.termedia.pl/The-impact-of-smoking-and-alcohol-consumption-on-fetal-development-a-review,134,57971,1,1.html

SSRN - Neurodevelopmental deficit risk in infants: the role of prenatal alcohol exposure and selected maternal micronutrient mediation
PAE demonstrated sex-specific neurodevelopmental effects. Male infants appeared more vulnerable to direct alcohol-related deficits but also showed measurable compensatory benefit from combined maternal nutrients.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6948787

University of Calgary - Cortical Morphology and its Relation to Mental Health in Youth with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Youth with PAE experience mental health challenges at disproportionate rates compared to the general population, which are likely rooted in brain differences compared to unexposed youth. Relationships between structural cortical development and mental health outcomes have not been well investigated in the context of PAE.
https://ucalgary.scholaris.ca/items/958548ac-7420-4ced-a3c8-715416c37818

Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research - A Systematic Review of International Guidelines for Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder in Pregnancy
We systematically reviewed international clinical practice guidelines to examine how they address the full cascade of AUD care during pregnancy, including diagnosis, engagement, treatment initiation, and retention.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70330

Neuroscience Letters - Prenatal alcohol exposure differently affects seizure susceptibility and severity depending on its mechanism of induction: role of excitatory synapses and parvalbumin-positive interneurons
These results suggest that PAE promotes increased presence of PV+ interneurons in the somatosensory neocortex, which in turn, may promote a homeostatic enhancement of excitatory circuitry to maintain E/I balance.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394026001485

medRxiv - Distinct Resting-State Functional Connectivity Profiles in ADHD with and without Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
These results are consistent with other MRI findings indicating that ADHD+PAE is neurally distinct from ADHD-PAE; PAE may be associated with broadly reduced connectivity, especially across cerebellar–cerebral cortical systems.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.25.26354061v1

American Journal of Preventive Medicine - Neighborhood Deprivation and Contrasting Patterns of Prenatal Alcohol, Cannabis, and Nicotine Use
Neighborhood deprivation showed opposing associations across substances, with lower alcohol use but substantially higher cannabis and nicotine use in more deprived neighborhoods.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074937972600228X

CDC - Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Among Women Aged 18–49 Years — United States, 2021–2024
Clinical approaches, such as routine screening for alcohol consumption and mental health conditions during pregnancy, and community-level approaches, such as point-of-sale warning signs or alcohol sales taxes, might help reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its associated adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7522a2.htm