Read Dr Peter Rice's article on MUP in Scotland in the January issue of the Newsletter (pp. 13-14) published by CPME, the Standing Committee of European Doctors,

Read SHAAP's response to WHO's draft 13th General Programme of Work here

SHAAP has issued a press release, welcoming the final UK ruling by the Supreme Court in London that MUP  can now go ahead. The policy is expected to be enacted in Spring 2018. SHAAP first called for MUP in 2007 and the legislation was passed unopposed in the Scottish Parliament in 2012.

SHAAP and Eurocare are delighted to announce the 8th European Alcohol Policy Conference (8EAPC), which will be hosted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Scotland, on 20th and 21st November 2018.  To learn more, visit the website, tweet  #8eapc

For the full programme of dates, topics and speakers, and to register for individual sessions, see our Events page.

SHAAP has issued the following press release in relation to the Supreme Court's consideration of Scotland's MUP policy. We hope and expect that the policy will be judged legal and implemented ASAP.

News Release issued today on behalf of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and Edinburgh Napier University.

A new report carried out by Edinburgh Napier University for SHAAP into early mortality of heavy drinkers in Scotland  is launched today. The study shows the extent of early death within a group of 600 patients, with over 100 of them dying around 25 years earlier than the normal life expectancy in Scotland; and notes the significant consumption of cheap alcohol, particularly vodka and white cider in this group. This report is particularly relevant, in view of the Scotch Whisky Association's renewed challenge on minimum unit pricing at the UK Supreme Court next week.

News Release issued today on behalf of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), Institute for Social Marketing - University of Stirling, University of Newcastle and University of Edinburgh

Two new reports (see links) to be launched at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh today highlight the important role that GPs have in raising the issue of alcohol use in GP consultations. The reports, ‘Practice and attitudes of General Practitioners in the delivery of Alcohol Brief Interventions in Scotland’ and ‘Financial incentives for Alcohol Brief Interventions in Primary Care in Scotland’ discuss challenges relating to the central role that GPs can play in raising the sensitive issue of alcohol use with patients to prevent and reduce harms, and the role that incentives such as financial payments and sufficient support for training for primary care staff can play in ensuring effective interventions.

News Release issued today on behalf of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), Institute for Social Marketing - University of Stirling, the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS), and Alcohol Action Ireland

A report launched today at the 'European Healthy Stadia' conference at the Emirates Stadium highlights how alcohol producers bent the rules designed to protect children during the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament. Researchers at the Institute for Social Marketing, University of Stirling, found over 100 alcohol marketing references per televised match programme, mostly in highly visible places, such as pitch-side advertising during the matches. This despite the fact that the tournament was held in France, where alcohol TV advertising and sports sponsorship is banned under the ‘Loi Évin’. Read the report

'Alcohol admissions and health inequalities: is the tide finally turning?'

Neil Martin, Research and Information Manager for Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, presented research looking at the impact of inequalities on the healthcare system based on alcohol-specific hospital admissions from 2006 - 2015 covering 326 local authorities in England. Data showed an increase in such admissions, broken down into condition, gender and geographic region and Martin discussed their impact on NHS resources and life expectancy.