Alcohol News - 36/2026

Psychology Today - Do We All Need to Start Saying No to Alcohol? 
A major new study from Sinead George of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health finds no net health benefit from low-level alcohol consumption and estimates a 1 in 25 lifetime risk of alcohol-attributable death among people consuming 14 drinks per week.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/addiction-outlook/202606/do-we-all-need-to-start-saying-no-to-alcohol/amp

France 24 (France) - France’s record heatwave pushes champagne alcohol levels to historic high
France’s record-breaking summer heat has forced champagne producers to contend with unusually high sugar levels in grapes, forcing authorities to allow alcohol content of up to 15 percent in the region’s sparkling wine for the first time. Champagne is usually capped at 13 percent.
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260909-france-s-record-heatwave-pushes-champagne-alcohol-levels-to-historic-high

TimesLIVE (South Africa) - Calls for higher alcohol taxes to help prevent foetal alcohol syndrome
Increasing liquor excise duties is one of most cost-effective public health measures available to reduce harmful drinking, says doctor.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-09-09-calls-for-higher-alcohol-taxes-to-help-prevent-foetal-alcohol-syndrome/

Movendi International - Preventing FASD Is Possible and a Human Rights Priority but Big Alcohol Stands in the Way of Governments Protecting Children
Children have a right to be protected from predictable and preventable harms, yet tens of millions of people live with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a condition governments already have the tools to prevent.
https://movendi.ngo/blog/2026/09/09/preventing-fasd-is-possible-and-a-human-rights-priority-but-big-alcohol-stands-in-the-way-of-governments-protecting-children/

The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Belgium is changing how alcohol is marketed - will it change drinking habits?
The new rules will restrict alcohol advertising in media where at least 30% of the audience is under 18, as well as advertising by influencers primarily followed by minors, and require alcohol advertisements to carry the warning “alcohol harms health.”
https://www.brusselstimes.com/2306891/belgium-is-changing-how-alcohol-is-marketed-will-it-change-drinking-habits

The Citizen (South Africa) - Government moves to enforce zero alcohol limit for drivers
GOVERNMENT is moving to tighten restrictions on driving under the influence of alcohol. This as the Department of Transport (DoT) continues to pursue legislative amendments to the National Road Traffic Act to implement a strict zero per cent blood alcohol policy.
https://www.citizen.co.za/zululand-observer/news-headlines/local-news/2026/09/07/government-moves-to-enforce-zero-alcohol-limit-for-drivers/

Alcohol Change - 100 Days Your Way: The gap between what we expect alcohol to do and what it actually does
Most of us have built up a set of beliefs about what alcohol does for us over many years. “It helps me relax”. “It makes social situations easier”. “It takes the edge off a hard day”. These beliefs feel personal and true. But a lot of research has looked at how accurate they actually are, and the findings are often surprising.
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/100-days-your-way-stage-7-2

MedicalXpress - Caregivers for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder report increased stress and relational strengths
Caregivers of people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) identified stress levels and emotional health as the factors most negatively affected by their caregiving role.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-caregivers-people-fetal-alcohol-spectrum.html

MedicalXpress - AI helps clarify complex array and interaction of risk factors contributing to alcohol use disorder
Explainable AI (xAI) models are illuminating the multiple risk factors that underlie the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a new study.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-ai-complex-array-interaction-factors.html

Cancer Network (USA) - Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Mortality Has Doubled in the US Since 1990
Alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the United States doubled from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023, according to a secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas.
https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/alcohol-attributable-cancer-mortality-has-doubled-in-the-us-since-1990

NordAN (Lithuania) - Lithuania strengthens its response to FASD
Klaipėda University Hospital is strengthening efforts to improve the recognition of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Lithuania through the international FASD-Bridge project, implemented with partners from Germany and Poland.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/lithuania-strengthens-its-response-to-fasd

Alcohol Awareness (Denmark) - Few people know it: Alcohol increases the risk of cancer
Only 28% of Danish adults are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer, according to new figures from the Danish Cancer Society.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/09/07/few-people-know-it-alcohol-increases-the-risk-of-cancer/

Alcohol Awareness (Norway) - A sold-out Norwegian youth festival puts music first and alcohol out of the Picture
Young people in the Norwegian city of Ålesund have their own two-day music festival this weekend. Spirefest 26, taking place on 4 and 5 September at Terminalen Byscene, is sold out, with organisers saying demand was so strong that tickets disappeared in record time.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/09/05/a-sold-out-norwegian-youth-festival-puts-music-first-and-alcohol-out-of-the-picture/

Alcohol News - 35/2026

University of Queensland (Australia) - Women bear the brunt of alcohol-related fear
Women are nearly three quarters more likely than men to experience fear because of other people’s alcohol consumption, University of Queensland research has found.
https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-09-women-bear-brunt-alcohol-related-fear

CNN - Just one drink a day may increase the risk of dying from numerous cancers
Alcohol may play a greater role in death from numerous types of cancers in the United States than previously known, according to a new study. “While it’s true that overall cancer mortality has declined, we found the percentage of cancer deaths proportionally attributable to alcohol doubled in people 20 and older over the last 33 years,” said the study’s first author Dr. Chinmay Jani.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/03/health/alcohol-impact-cancer-deaths-wellness

The Conversation - Zero‑alcohol drinks are rising in popularity. What do young people think about them?
Over the past decade, zero-alcohol drinks have gone from a relatively niche product to a staple of our supermarket aisles, bottle stores and pubs.
https://theconversation.com/zero-alcohol-drinks-are-rising-in-popularity-what-do-young-people-think-about-them-289471

Le Monde.fr (Belgium) - Belgian brewers battle government's new alcohol-prevention slogan
As part of a package of public health measures, the Belgian government plans to require alcohol advertisements to carry the warning 'Alcohol is harmful to health.' The decision has sparked fierce opposition from brewers and the hospitality sector and created divisions within the ruling coalition.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/09/03/in-belgium-brewers-battle-government-s-new-alcohol-prevention-slogan_6757106_4.html

Biometric Update (UK) - ‘Policy intention is becoming much clearer’ on digital ID for UK alcohol sales
New guidance clarifies how certified digital IDs can be used for alcohol sales, while Europe continues to move ahead on digital age verification
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202609/policy-intention-is-becoming-much-clearer-on-digital-id-for-uk-alcohol-sales

News-Medical - Alcohol-related liver cancer deaths were falling. Then the trend reversed during the COVID-19 pandemic
In a recent study published in the journal npj Science of Food, researchers used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study to investigate global, regional, and national trends in alcohol-attributable mortality from four specific conditions (1990 to 2023).
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260901/Alcohol-related-liver-cancer-deaths-were-falling-Then-the-trend-reversed-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic.aspx

Nova News (South Africa) - Government pushes for zero percent alcohol limit for drivers
South Africa is moving towards a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy for drivers as part of efforts to reduce road deaths and injuries.
https://novanews.co.za/government-pushes-for-zero-percent-alcohol-limit-for-drivers/

Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine - Marshall University research identifies lasting brain changes associated with adolescent binge alcohol exposure
New research from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine provides insight into how binge alcohol exposure during adolescence may cause lasting changes in brain function that persist into adulthood, potentially identifying a new target for future treatment approaches.
https://jcesom.marshall.edu/news/musom-news/marshall-university-research-identifies-lasting-brain-changes-associated-with-adolescent-binge-alcohol-exposure/

Total Croatia (Croatia) - Varaždin to Ban Sale of Alcohol in Shops After 22:00
The continental Croatian city of Varaždin is set to become to first continental city to introduce a ban on the sale of alcohol in shops and kiosks after 22:00.
https://total-croatia-news.com/news/varazdin-ban-alcohol/

PsyPost - Brain waves reveal how alcohol cues hijack decision-making in addiction
People with alcohol use disorder experience automatic emotional reactions to alcohol-related images that disrupt their basic decision-making processes.
https://www.psypost.org/brain-waves-reveal-how-alcohol-cues-hijack-decision-making-in-addiction/

Vital Strategies - Alcohol Is Too Cheap, and It’s Costing Lives and Tax Revenue
New report finds alcohol prices are abysmally low almost everywhere, and alcohol taxes mostly fail to realize their full public health and revenue potential.
https://www.vitalstrategies.org/alcohol-is-too-cheap-and-its-costing-lives-and-tax-revenue/

Voice of Nigeria (Nigeria) - Nigeria Launches New Alcohol Policy, Tightens Product Regulation
The Nigerian Government has launched a new national alcohol policy that introduces stronger measures to reduce alcohol-related health and social harms and tighten regulation of alcohol products.
https://von.gov.ng/nigeria-launches-new-alcohol-policy-tightens-product-regulation/

IAS blog - Beyond national statistics: understanding alcohol harm and recovery in homelessness
With homelessness back in the spotlight following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping in England, an important question remains: do we fully understand the scale and nature of alcohol-related harms experienced by people without a stable place to live?
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/09/01/beyond-national-statistics-understanding-alcohol-harm-and-recovery-in-homelessness/

Public Health Scotland (Scotland) - Alcohol's hidden impact on health in Scotland
The Alcohol Consumption and Harms dashboard provides a detailed picture across all alcohol-related harms and the impact that they have on Scotland’s health.
https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2026/september/alcohols-hidden-impact-on-health-in-scotland/

SDU (Denmark) - Parents’ attitudes towards alcohol strongly influence young people’s drinking
Young people whose parents see drunkenness as a natural part of being young drink more than twice as much alcohol as other young people, according to a new report.
https://www.sdu.dk/en/sif/ugens_tal/ut_36_foraeldres_holdninger_til_alkohol_har_stor_betydning_for_unges_alkoholforbrug

NordAN (Greenland/Iceland) - Greenland looks to Icelandic prevention experience as it develops long-term alcohol policy
Greenland’s Minister for Health and Persons with Disabilities, Anna Wangenheim, visited Icelandic prevention organisation FRÆ on 24 August as part of a visit to Iceland connected with a meeting of Nordic health ministers.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/greenland-looks-to-icelandic-prevention-experience-as-it-develops-long-term-alcohol-policy

NordAN (Norway) - Norway considers expanding farm sales of alcohol amid EEA concerns
Norway is considering a significant expansion of direct alcohol sales from producers, a move that Actis warns could weaken Vinmonopolet and raise questions about whether the Norwegian alcohol retail system remains compatible with EEA rules.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/norway-considers-expanding-farm-sales-of-alcohol-amid-eea-concerns

NordAN (Finland) - Finland’s largest substance use prevention NGO says its entire operation is at risk
EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention has announced restructuring negotiations covering its entire workforce, warning that anticipated cuts to government funding could threaten the organisation’s continued existence.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/finland-s-largest-substance-use-prevention-ngo-says-its-entire-operation-is-at-risk

Alcohol Awareness (Estonia) - Estonia launches “No Alcohol in September” campaign
Estonia’s National Institute for Health Development (TAI) and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund are once again inviting people to take part in the “No Alcohol in September” campaign and spend one month without alcohol.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/09/03/estonia-launches-no-alcohol-in-september-campaign/

Alcohol News - 34/2026

Psychology Today - The Corks in My Drawer: Giving Up a Belief You Enjoyed Holding
I'm also a physician who studies substance use, which means I spent those same 15 years reading the alcohol literature. I watched the heart-healthy wine story fall apart in slow motion, and I kept buying wine the entire time. The interesting part is not the science. The interesting part is the lag.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-adolescent-ed/202608/the-corks-in-my-drawer-giving-up-a-belief-you-enjoyed-holding

SCOTUSblog (USA) - Alcohol at the Supreme Court
During the 2025-26 term, the justices pondered the Founding Fathers’ drinking habits as they considered a law barring habitual drug users from possessing guns. In the term ahead, they may return to the topic of alcohol in early America if they take up a case on a 19th-century law prohibiting at-home production of distilled spirits.
https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/08/alcohol-at-the-supreme-court/

Salk Institute - Isolation drives alcohol consumption through brain circuit that differs by sex
The COVID-19 pandemic tested us in many ways—how we handle crisis, isolation, health, loss, and so much more. Amidst all the conversations about how we cope, one topic came up again and again: alcohol.
https://www.salk.edu/news-release/isolation-drives-alcohol-consumption-through-brain-circuit-that-differs-by-sex/

University of Miami - Can AI Improve Public Awareness of Alcohol-Related Cancer Risks?
A study from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center found that cancer-specific messages paired with carefully reviewed, AI-generated visuals attracted more attention and increased perceptions of alcohol-related harm.
https://news.med.miami.edu/ai-messages-improve-awareness-alcohol-cancer-risks/

UNSW Sydney (Australia) - Repeal of the NT's Minimum Unit Price and the impact on alcohol pricing
Minimum Unit Price (MUP) is a public health policy that sets a minimum price per standard drink of alcohol. The policy is designed to prevent cheap, high-strength alcohol from being sold at very low prices.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/ndarc/resources/repeal-of-nt-minimum-unit-price-and-impact-on-alcohol-pricing

NPR (USA) - Penn State bust put focus on cocaine but on most campuses the big risk is alcohol
When Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday laid out details about an alleged drug ring that funneled kilos of cocaine to students at Penn State University, the case raised specters of the 1980s when coke was a popular party drug among young Americans.
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/24/nx-s1-5942987/cocaine-use-is-down-but-alcohol-is-still-being-abused-by-young-adults

IAS Blog - Alcohol and pancreatic cancer: an example of how alcohol-caused deaths are greatly under-estimated globally?
Expert committees are often called upon to adjudicate which causes of death, injury or illness meet criteria for being caused by alcohol use. We have participated in these discussions, whether under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) or as members of groups developing national drinking guidelines.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/08/25/alcohol-and-pancreatic-cancer-an-example-of-how-alcohol-caused-deaths-are-greatly-under-estimated-globally/

Mirage (Australia) - Greens Target Predatory Alcohol Delivery, Ads
The Victorian Greens have introduced legislation to Parliament to rein in online alcohol delivery and advertising, after the Labor Government failed to act on repeated warnings about the role easy alcohol access plays in family violence and other serious harm.
https://www.miragenews.com/greens-target-predatory-alcohol-delivery-ads-1731809/

University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) - Alcohol’s hidden calories: product labels could help fight obesity
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://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2026/2026-08/alcohols-hidden-calories-product-labels-could-help-fight-obesity.html

PopNAD (Finland) - Finland moves further away from the Nordic alcohol model
This summer, Finland took another step away from the traditional Nordic model of alcohol control. Through a series of reforms, alcohol has gradually become easier to buy, putting Finland on a different path from its Nordic neighbours. Now, Alko stores may open on Sundays, and home delivery of alcohol is on its way.
https://nordicwelfare.org/popnad/en/artiklar/finland-moves-further-away-from-the-nordic-alcohol-model/

American Institute for Cancer Research - Alcohol Increases Risk of Colorectal Cancer
New research provides strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk of colorectal cancer. This is the case regardless of the tumor’s molecular subtype. The study reinforces current recommendations to limit or avoid alcohol to help reduce cancer risk.
https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/alcohol-increases-risk-of-colorectal-cancer/

NordAN (Denmark) - Denmark extends young test-purchaser scheme until 2028
Denmark has decided to continue using young test purchasers to check whether shops respect age limits for alcohol, tobacco and nicotine. On 27 August, the Folketing adopted L 12 B by 82 votes to 27, extending the temporary scheme until 30 June 2028 and revising fines for illegal sales to minors.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/denmark-extends-young-test-purchaser-scheme-until-2028

NordAN (Denmark) - Three in four young Danes feel pressure to drink alcohol
A new Danish survey shows that alcohol remains strongly connected to social life, particularly among young adults. Almost three in four Danes aged 18 to 34 say they experience an expectation to drink alcohol when socialising with friends and acquaintances.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/three-in-four-young-danes-feel-pressure-to-drink-alcohol

Alcohol Awareness (Denmark) - Stop the “Alcohol Reflex”
A new Danish campaign is encouraging young people to question the automatic role alcohol can play in parties and social life. Launched by Fuld af Liv, an initiative from the Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse) and TrygFonden, the campaign introduces the idea of the “alko-refleksen”, or “alcohol reflex”, describing drinking that happens almost automatically, without people stopping to consider whether they actually want another drink.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/08/27/stop-the-alcohol-reflex/

Alcohol News - 33/2026

Forte (Sweden) - See the family member too – not just the person with a substance use probleem
Adult family members of people with harmful substance use need access to nuanced support that also addresses their own well-being. Better coordination and clearer division of responsibilities are also needed among social workers, family support counsellors, and alcohol and addiction therapists. This is shown in new research on social work services that provide support to family members.
https://forte.se/en/news/news/2026-08-19-see-the-family-member-too---not-just-the-person-with-a-substance-use-problem

Gallup News (USA) - Americans' Drinking Remains at Record Low
The share of Americans who say they drink alcohol remains at a record-low 54% for the second consecutive year, the lowest reading in Gallup’s trend dating back to 1939.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/713534/americans-drinking-remains-record-low.aspx

STAT (USA) - American Cancer Society cancels alcohol industry fundraiser
The American Cancer Society quietly canceled its upcoming Wine and Spirits Industry’s Gala, a spokesperson confirmed to STAT. The event, which has for decades raised money from members of the alcohol industry at a boozy Manhattan gathering, was set to take place in October at the iconic Rainbow Room.
https://www.statnews.com/2026/08/19/cancer-society-cancels-alcohol-industry-gala-fundraiser-deadliest-drug-series/

ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) - Face of risky drinking 'quietly changing' in Australia
Increasing numbers of midlife women are turning to alcohol to soothe the negative effects of perimenopause but it might be worsening their symptoms.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/risky-drinking-perimenopause/107041914

The Medical University of South Carolina (USA) - You may have seen reports about drinking decline. Here’s what an expert wants you to know
But, he added: “Alcohol is still one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S. More people die every year from alcohol-related causes than any other substance use. More than opiate overdose. A lot of people don't realize that. It's quite pervasive.”
https://www.musc.edu/content-hub/News/2026/08/20/you-may-have-seen-reports-about-drinking-decline-heres-what-an-expert-wants-you-to-know

The Independent - Why I think it’s time to ban alcohol on flights
As incidents of air rage soar, one common factor keeps cropping up: alcohol. Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman explains why she thinks it’s time to ground the in-flight drinks trolley in the latest Travel Insider newsletter.
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/alcohol-ban-flights-air-rage-passengers-b3033019.html

Country News (Australia) - Booze delivery restricted under domestic violence plan
New laws restricting online alcohol delivery are among imminent measures following a landmark Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
https://www.countrynews.com.au/national/booze-delivery-restricted-under-domestic-violence-plan/

University of Rhode Island - URI nursing study seeks health practitioner perspectiveson alcohol, breast cancer association
While the relationship between alcohol use and cancer—specifically breast cancer—is well-established, evolving research and fluctuations in official recommendations can make it difficult to fully understand the level of risk alcohol poses, not just for patients but also for providers.
https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/08/uri-nursing-study-seeks-health-practitioner-perspectiveson-alcohol-breast-cancer-association/

Society for the Study of Addiction - Will mandatory alcohol labels make a difference?
With the UK Government’s ten-year health plan promising new alcohol labelling standards, Fiona Hughes examines the current system and whether clearer labels could help reduce alcohol-related harm.
https://www.addiction-ssa.org/features/essay/will-mandatory-alcohol-labels-make-a-difference/

The Korea Times (South Korea) - Drinking trend shift: Why more young Koreans are avoiding company dinners
The culture of pressuring people to drink alcohol at company gatherings and social events is gradually disappearing. Yet in some workplaces and social groups, the practice still persists. Younger Koreans are drinking less than previous generations, and the traditional pattern of moving from soju at a first-round dinner to draft beer at a second round is also becoming less common.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260821/drinking-trend-shift-why-more-young-koreans-are-avoiding-company-dinners

NordAN (Norway) - Seven of nine Norwegian youth parties keep summer camps alcohol-free as FpU reviews its rules
Norway’s Progress Party Youth (FpU) has announced that it will review its alcohol rules following criticism of drinking at its summer camp, where around three in ten participants were under the age of 18.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/seven-of-nine-norwegian-youth-parties-keep-summer-camps-alcohol-free-as-fpu-reviews-its-rules

NordAN (Denmark) - Nearly four in ten young danes have gone swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs
A swim can seem like the perfect way to end a warm summer day. But for a significant number of people, swimming takes place after drinking alcohol or using other substances. A new Danish survey commissioned by insurance company Gjensidige suggests that this is particularly common among young adults.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/nearly-four-in-ten-young-danes-have-gone-swimming-under-the-influence-of-alcohol-or-drugs

Alcohol and Cancer (Ireland) - Study finds early signs of impact as alcohol health warnings begin appearing on products in Ireland
New research on alcohol warning labels in Ireland finds that alcohol health warning labels may help inform consumers about alcohol-related health risks, even before the labels become legally mandatory.
https://www.alcoholandcancer.eu/post/study-finds-early-signs-of-impact-as-alcohol-health-warnings-begin-appearing-on-products-in-ireland

Alcohol News - 32/2026

Medscape (Canada) - Canada’s Alcohol Consumption Guidance: A Roundtable Discussion
Canada’s new alcohol‑risk guidance is explained by Erik Greb, Dr. Peter Butt, and Dr. Jürgen Rehm, who outline the evidence behind the “less is better” message, the cultural and political resistance it has faced, and how clinicians can help patients reduce consumption.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/canadas-alcohol-consumption-guidance-roundtable-discussion-2026a1000qq4?src=&form=fpf

NL Times (Netherlands) - Nearly half of Dutch say one daily drink is fine despite warning even one is harmful
The Health Council of the Netherlands warned earlier this summer that alcohol is more harmful than earlier advice indicated, stating that even one glass a day poses health risks. Research by the RTL panel shows the new guidance has not yet gained broad acceptance.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/08/13/nearly-half-dutch-say-one-daily-drink-fine-despite-warning-even-one-harmful

Georgia Today (Georgia) - Georgia plans alcohol interlock systems to prevent drunk driving
The Georgian government plans to introduce alcohol interlock devices in vehicles as part of efforts to prevent drunk driving, reports Business Press News (BPN).
https://georgiatoday.ge/georgia-plans-alcohol-interlock-systems-to-prevent-drunk-driving/

Biometric Update (UK) - UK police deploy ITL age estimation devices to help retailers meet alcohol rules
While there are lingering questions about the UK government’s update to the Mandatory Licensing Conditions, allowing for the use of digital ID to prove age when buying alcohol, providers are coming to the table prepared.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202608/uk-police-deploy-itl-age-estimation-devices-to-help-retailers-meet-alcohol-rules

Medscape (Australia) - Cognitive Bias Modification App Fosters Alcohol Avoidance
Australian researchers have developed a smartphone app that could not only help people recovering from alcohol use disorder to avoid relapsing but also support those who engage in harmful drinking to reduce or avoid alcohol consumption altogether.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/cognitive-bias-modification-app-fosters-alcohol-avoidance-2026a1000rbb?form=fpf

Le Monde.fr (Germany) - Germany to scrap 'accompanied drinking' for 14 and 15-year-olds
A legal provision allowed 14 and 15-year-olds to purchase and consume alcohol with their parents. The government said its abolition would 'protect young people from the considerable health and social effects of alcohol consumption.'
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/germany/article/2026/08/12/germany-to-scrap-accompanied-drinking-for-14-and-15-year-olds_6756433_146.html

Stockholm University (Sweden) - Alcohol Can Both Support and Undermine Young People's Well-being
Young Swedes describe alcohol and cannabis as offering short‑lived boosts in confidence, sociability and relief, but these upsides are tightly intertwined with anxiety, shame and life‑disrupting consequences, with Jukka Törrönen’s team showing that young people continually adjust their use as social contexts and personal circumstances shift.
https://www.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-public-health-sciences/news/articles/2026-08-13-alcohol-can-both-support-and-undermine-young-peoples-well-being

The Connexion (France) - Alcoholism causes over 40,000 deaths a year in France
France still sees around 41,000 alcohol‑related deaths and over 307,000 hospitalisations each year, driven by a cultural pattern of daily drinking that leaves more than one in five adults regularly exceeding health‑service guidelines.
https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/alcoholism-causes-over-40000-deaths-a-year-in-france/798403

Vanguard News (Nigeria) - Alcohol: Nigerian children caught in deadly trap
At the age when most children are still learning how to spell their names, count money and tell the difference between right and wrong, nine-year-old Ade already knows the taste of alcohol. He does not hide it. Neither does he consider it unusual.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/08/alcohol-nigerian-children-caught-in-deadly-trap/

New York Post (USA) - Almost half of NYC homeless deaths tied to drug overdoses or alcohol abuse: study
Almost half of the deaths of New York City’s homeless population were tied to drugs and alcohol, an eye-opening new report found.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/10/us-news/almost-half-of-nyc-homeless-deaths-tied-to-drug-overdoses-or-alcohol-abuse-study/

IOL (South Africa) - The True Cost of Alcohol: Advocacy and Action by Nomcebo Dlamini
For Nomcebo Dlamini, advocacy goes beyond raising awareness to influencing the policies and systems that can protect communities from harm.
https://iol.co.za/capetimes/2026-08-11-the-true-cost-of-alcohol-advocacy-and-action-by-nomcebo-dlamini/

SHAAP (Scotland) - Community Alcohol Partnerships: growing prominence and concerns about industry funding
Over the past few years, Community Alcohol Partnerships (or CAP) have become an increasingly prominent feature of alcohol harm reduction discussions in the UK. More than 350 local CAP schemes have now been established across the UK, with numbers growing rapidly in Scotland.
https://www.shaap.org.uk/community-alcohol-partnerships-growing-prominence-and-concerns-about-industry-funding/

Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Australia) - Minimum unit pricing: what’s all the fuss about?
In early 2025, the Northern Territory (NT) removed minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol. Why did it cause so much debate? And why does alcohol policy remain such a contested issue?
https://adf.org.au/insights/minimum-unit-pricing/

O´Neill Institute - A Public Health Approach: Using Alcohol Regulation Strategies to Reduce Online Sports Betting Harms in Higher Education
Online sports betting has expanded rapidly across higher education institutions, creating a fast‑growing public health challenge associated with sports culture, peer influence, and 24/7 mobile access.
https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/a-public-health-approach-using-alcohol-regulation-strategies-to-reduce-online-sports-betting-harms-in-higher-education/

NordAN (Sweden) - New survey: Summer drinkers are the most eager to return to everyday routines
A new Swedish survey finds that alcohol plays a significant role in many people’s summer routines, particularly among frequent drinkers.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/new-survey-summer-drinkers-are-the-most-eager-to-return-to-everyday-routines

Alcohol Awareness (Denmark) - Danish Cancer Society Brings Alcohol Education into the Classroom
“Just a couple of beers for the school trip, Mr Mortensen!” That tongue-in-cheek line is used by the Danish Cancer Society, Kræftens Bekæmpelse, to highlight how much attitudes towards young people and alcohol have changed over time. Its school initiative reminds teachers and parents that while some practices from the past now seem unthinkable, there is still a need to strengthen young people’s knowledge about alcohol and its consequences.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/08/14/danish-cancer-society-brings-alcohol-education-into-the-classroom/

Alcohol Awareness (Poland) - When the words ‘Cheers!’ hurt
SOS Children’s Villages Poland has launched a new campaign, “Kiedy słowa ‘na zdrowie!’ ranią” (“When the words ‘Cheers!’ hurt”), calling attention to the impact of alcohol on children and family life.
https://alcoholcampaign.org/2026/08/12/when-the-words-cheers-hurt/

Alcohol News - 31/2026

NordAN (Sweden) - Crayfish parties are approaching, ban post-accident drinking
Public holidays and celebrations unfortunately often lead to an increase in drink-driving. It is important to maintain respect for drink-driving laws and update them to close unusual legal loopholes.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/crayfish-parties-are-approaching-ban-post-accident-drinking

Time Magazine - The Case Against Using Alcohol and Cannabis to Sleep
A substantial number of Americans turn to cannabis and alcohol to help them fall asleep. Indeed, there are estimates that nearly one in 10 Americans regularly use cannabis for sleep, and many adults report using alcohol in this way. Sadly, these rates are higher for young adults.
https://time.com/article/2026/07/31/the-case-against-using-alcohol-and-cannabis-to-sleep/

MedUni Wien - Dementia prevention: Study on vitamin B1 in alcohol dependence included in new WHO guidelines
A study conducted at the Medical University of Vienna on the effects of vitamin B1 (thiamine) on memory performance in people with alcohol dependence has been included in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia.
https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/about-us/news/2026/news-in-august-2026/dementia-prevention-study-on-vitamin-b1-in-alcohol-dependence-included-in-new-who-guidelines/

Prague Daily News (Czech Republic) - Significantly More Alcohol Offences Involving Bicycles and E-Scooters in the Czech Republic
Police in the Czech Republic are increasingly catching cyclists and e-scooter riders under the influence of alcohol. Since the beginning of June, the number of recorded offences has been significantly higher than last year.
https://www.praguedaily.news/2026/08/07/significantly-more-alcohol-offences-involving-bicycles-and-e-scooters-in-the-czech-republic/

SAMHSA (USA) - Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking 2025
The annual report to Congress (Chapters 1–4) includes a description of federal programs to address underage drinking; the extent of progress in preventing and reducing underage drinking; surveillance data on underage drinking initiation, prevalence, consumption patterns, and underage access to alcohol; and related information.
https://library.samhsa.gov/product/report-congress-prevention-reduction-underage-drinking-2025/pep26-03-001

Medical Daily - Poison Center Warns That Caffeine Hides How Drunk Someone Is Without Lowering Their Blood Alcohol
Mixing caffeine with alcohol does not make anyone less drunk. It makes them less able to tell. The New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School issued that warning ahead of the fall semester, and the timing is deliberate.
https://www.medicaldaily.com/caffeine-alcohol-masks-intoxication-poisoning-risk-warning-476951

CBC (Canada) - P.E.I. is looking at major changes to alcohol rules for the first time in decades
Prince Edward Island is asking residents and businesses how it should modernize the way alcohol is sold and regulated, as the province reviews liquor laws that are decades old.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-survey-modernize-liquor-control-act-9.7291889

IAS - Alcohol harm is not inevitable. But reducing it requires us to act differently
Alcohol is woven into life across Greater Manchester. It is part of our economy, our high streets and our social lives, tied to how we relax, socialise and celebrate. As we’ve seen again during this summer’s World Cup, alcohol is often presented as part of the occasion.
https://www.ias.org.uk/2026/08/04/alcohol-harm-is-not-inevitable-but-reducing-it-requires-us-to-act-differently/

IAS (UK) - Westminster’s drinking culture is putting staff wellbeing at risk, first-of-its-kind study finds
New research finds MPs and staff report being offered wine at breakfast meetings and struggling to find a soft drink at some events, as one in ten say they’ve been harmed by a colleague’s drinking – prompting calls for a formal parliamentary policy on alcohol.
https://www.ias.org.uk/news/westminsters-drinking-culture-is-putting-staff-wellbeing-at-risk-first-of-its-kind-study-finds/

WCRF - It’s time to show alcohol and junk food sponsorships the red card
As someone who has been enjoying this year's packed sporting calendar, Melissa Dando, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, explores how the promotion of health-harming products has come to dominate major sporting events, and what can be done to reclaim sport from industry influence.
https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/its-time-to-show-alcohol-and-junk-food-sponsorships-the-red-card/

University of Sheffield (UK) - Can Andy Burnham save Britain's pubs?
The Great British pub plays a key role in many people's concept of our national identity. Pubs, however, are facing an existential threat, with the number in the UK having fallen by a fifth between 2009 and 2022, and stories of pub closures a regular feature in local and national news.
https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/blog/can-andy-burnham-save-britains-pubs/

Cape York Weekly (Australia) - Child safety 'catastrophe' amid shocking rates of alcohol-fuelled violence
Indigenous thinktank the Cape York Institute says more needs to be done to address horrific rates of alcohol-fuelled violence on the peninsula and has called on the State Government to do more to enforce parental duties in response to the damning Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.
https://capeyorkweekly.com.au/child-safety-catastrophe-amid-shocking-rates-of-alcohol-fuelled-violence/25957/

NordAN (Denmark) - Cycling while intoxicated: More Danes are taking the risk
Nearly one in five Danes has ridden a bicycle, e-bike, electric scooter or similar vehicle while under the influence during the past three years, according to a new YouGov survey.
https://www.nordicalcohol.org/post/cycling-while-intoxicated-more-danes-are-taking-the-risk

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