 |
Alcohol Alert PodcastThe Institute of Alcohol Studies presents the Alc Author: Institute of Alcohol Studies
A monthly podcast exploring alcohol harm, policy, research, and industry influence in the UK and around the world. From minimum unit pricing to corporate lobbying, we speak to the people behind the headlines to uncover whats really going on. instalcstud.substack.com Language: en Genres: News, News Commentary, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
SHAAP's 20th anniversary: lessons from two decades of alcohol policy reform
Thursday, 30 July, 2026
This year marks 20 years since the founding of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), and we sat down with chair Dr Alastair MacGilchrist and founding member Dr Lesley Graham to trace its history – from spotting Scotland’s alcohol death rate spiralling in the early 2000s, to becoming a driving clinical voice behind the world’s first minimum unit pricing law.We hear how SHAAP built the evidence base for MUP, why it took six gruelling years of industry legal challenges before the policy finally came into force, and how that fight – reputationally damaging for the drinks industry – ended up strengthening the case for other countries to follow Scotland’s lead. Along the way: why medical credibility cuts through where campaigning alone doesn’t, and what SHAAP has learned about outlasting a well-resourced opponent.As Dr MacGilchrist puts it:“Everything’s difficult, everything takes a long time, don’t lose heart.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com
