Welcome
Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. More about us
Our vision
A future free from the widespread health and social harm caused by alcohol.
Our mission
To deliver effective and cost-effective action to reduce alcohol consumption and harm in Scotland and beyond.
Our values
Independent, equitable and fair, evidence-based, person-centred, respectful and collaborative.
Key work
Restricting alcohol marketing
Promoting regulation that reduces the level of exposure – particularly of children and young people and people struggling with alcohol-related issues – to alcohol marketing.
Increasing the price of alcohol
Broadening support for optimising minimum unit pricing by introducing an automatic mechanism linking to affordability.
Mandatory health warning labels
For consumers to make an informed choice, alcohol labels need to provide clear product and health information.
Latest news
Scottish Health Survey 2024 – Positive picture, but devil is in the detail
Oct 24, 2025: The Scottish Health Survey 2024 was published on the 21st October 2025. The publication provides information on the health of people in Scotland, including on our alcohol consumption.
AFS Response to PHS Decline in Treatment Report
Oct 23, 2025: Public Health Scotland (PHS) recently published their long-awaited report into a decline in referrals to specialist alcohol treatment services. The report was commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2023 following an answer to a Parliamentary Question which revealed that the number of referrals to specialist alcohol treatment fell from a peak of 32,556 in 2013/14 to 19,617 in 2021/22.
Making the case for regulating alcohol marketing in Scotland: A recent review of the evidence and next steps
Oct 23, 2025: A recent rapid review of evidence on alcohol marketing and advertising by Public Health Scotland has found that such marketing is pervasive and persuasive, and exposure to ads drives alcohol-related harm, including in children and young people.
No room for complacency despite alcohol death decrease
Sep 23, 2025: No room for complacency as deaths from alcohol remain appallingly high and more than double the level of 30 years ago says Alcohol Focus Scotland
