Welcome to our February newsletter!
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Sugar content in wine revealed
Health experts are calling for better alcohol labelling as it is revealed that just two glasses of wine may contain almost your entire daily recommended sugar limit.
Alcohol Change UK, the Alcohol Health Alliance, and other member organisations, commissioned an independent laboratory to analyse 30 bottles of red, white, rosé, fruit and sparkling wine from the top ten leading wine brands in the UK.
The results exposed a wide variation of sugar and calories between products. With this information missing from most alcohol labels, drinkers are being kept in the dark about just how much sugar and calories are in the products they buy.
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Sober Spring is just around the corner!
It’s nearly time again for the three-month alcohol-free challenge – the perfect follow-up to Dry January and a great route to change your relationship with alcohol long-term.
This year’s Sober Spring will be brought to you by Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society and us at Alcohol Change UK. We’d like to say a huge thanks to Catherine Gray, author and Sober Spring mastermind, who steps back from the helm this year.
Sign up to receive weekly emails with tips, tools, and content from our amazing guest bloggers. We can’t wait to jump into Sober Spring 2022!
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Consultation response: New alcohol duty system
We at Alcohol Change UK have been calling for a strength-based approach to taxing alcohol for many years, so it was a big win for us when the Government proposed just such a system following their call for evidence last year.
However, there is still a way to go. Cider still sees a huge advantage in the rates it pays in comparison to all other alcohol types, meaning very cheap, super-strong ciders will persist. These drinks are favoured by the most vulnerable, heavy drinkers, and cause huge amounts of harm to the drinker and those around them. We are asking the Government to end cider exceptionalism and bring cider rates in line with beer.
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Run with us to end alcohol harm
We urgently need your support. Alcohol-specific deaths are increasing at their fastest ever rate and we urgently need funding to help reach people before it’s too late. By taking on a challenge with us, you'll be ensuring that people affected by alcohol harm can access the support they need. Whether it’s your first event or you’re a seasoned athlete, we need to hear from you!
We have some fantastic running events coming up:
- 10 April, Brighton Marathon
- 29 May, Edinburgh Half Marathon
- 2 October, Virtual TCS London Marathon
Not a runner and want to take on another challenge to save lives? Get in touch today!
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Lockdown drinking "increased most in those already at risk"
A study by Newcastle University shows that adults already at risk of harm from heavy drinking bought significantly more alcohol during Covid-19 lockdowns. Researchers found that Britain’s heaviest drinkers - those in the top fifth of households that would consistently purchase the most alcohol - bought around 17 times more from shops and supermarkets than the bottom fifth during the lockdown period between March and July 2020.
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World Heart Foundation: No amount of alcohol is good for the heart
The World Heart Federation (WHF) has published a policy briefing challenging the argument that moderate consumption of alcohol can decrease the risk of heart disease. The briefing highlights how even low consumption can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies making the opposite claim are said to be based on observational research only, and do not account for other factors like pre-existing conditions or previous drinking patterns in abstinent people.
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Faye’s story: talking about alcohol at work
Faye was motivated to improve alcohol awareness among her colleagues at work having seen her own drinking creeping up to harmful levels.
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Dry January 2022: Did it match 2021?
Over a series of blogs in 2022, Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, will be exploring our Dry January campaign in depth - starting with this year's performance.
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