News

SHAAP’s 20th anniversary: lessons from two decades of alcohol policy reform

To mark SHAAP’s 20th anniversary, Chair Dr Alastair MacGilchrist and founding member Dr Lesley Graham joined Jem Roberts on the Institute of Alcohol Studies’ Alcohol...

SHAAP raises concerns that alcohol has been downgraded as a political priority as the ministerial portfolio expands to include Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of SHAAP, said: “At a time when Scotland is facing an alcohol public health emergency, with 1,179 people dyingfrom alcohol-specific...

SHAAP comment on ONS alcohol-specific deaths figures for Scotland, 2024

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), a partnership of the Medical Royal Colleges, commented: “Any reduction in the...

NCD Alliance Scotland Open Letter re: Jubel X and Coca Cola Commonwealth Games Sponsorship

NCD Alliance Scotland have produced an open letter following the announcement that Jubel X and Coca Cola will officially sponsor the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...

SHAAP Comment – Jubel x Commonwealth Games Sponsorship

Comment from Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, SHAAP Chair, following the announcement that JUBEL Beer will sponsor the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year: “The Commonwealth Games...

SHAAP writes to First Minister following comments about alcohol taxation

SHAAP Chair, Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, wrote to John Swinney regarding comments made in the Scottish Parliament on 12 February 2025 which described decisions on...

SHAAP comments on publication of Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-2035

Commenting on the publication of Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–2035, alcohol experts Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) call on the Scottish...

SHAAP calls for alcohol marketing restrictions in online safety plans

16/02/2026 Commenting on the UK government’s plans to protect children online, SHAAP (Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems) are calling on the government to seize...

SHAAP Chair comments on UK Budget

Following the announcement of the UK Government’s Budget on Wednesday 26th November, Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of SHAAP said: “While it is welcome that...

Abstract Deadline Extended: 2026 Alcohol Occasionals

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and the Scottish Alcohol Research Network (SARN) invite researchers to submit their research proposals for the 2026 SHAAP/SARN Alcohol...

Fall in referrals to alcohol treatment show need for greater investment in alcohol services

Today, Public Health Scotland has published a review into the fall in referrals to specialist alcohol and drug treatment, entitled “Understanding the reasons behind an...

Urgent improvements must be made to hospital treatment for alcohol problems, say healthcare experts

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Scotland are today calling for...