Addressing alcohol and tobacco harm

We have achieved significant impact in alcohol and tobacco policy, motivated by addressing harmful effects on health and underlying socio-economic inequalities.

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Tobacco and alcohol use pose significant global public health challenges and are major determinants of preventable morbidity and mortality.  

In Scotland, these concerns are particularly acute. The alcohol-related death rate in Scotland is twice that of England, with one in every 20 deaths attributable to alcohol.   Smoking rates in Scotland are also the highest in the UK, with one in every five deaths attributable to smoking. As a result of these statistics, tobacco and alcohol consumption were selected as two key indicators used to monitor progress in the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework.

The Centre for Research on Environment Society and Health (CRESH)

Professors Niamh Shortt and Jamie Pearce are co-directors of CRESH, exploring how physical and social environments can influence population health.

Our research through CRESH evidences how tobacco and alcohol retail availability is related to health harm and addresses the over-provision of alcohol and tobacco products in Scotland .  We work closely with advocacy organisations and policymakers across the UK, particularly those responsible for tobacco, alcohol and healthy ageing-related policies.

CRESH research has utilised data to demonstrate an association between tobacco and alcohol retail availability and socio-economic deprivation. We have shown a strong social gradient in the availability of tobacco and alcohol products in Scotland.  There are more outlets in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods when compared to the most affluent neighbourhoods.

Our research shows that in Scotland, the local availability of alcohol and tobacco is strongly associated with health-related behaviours, health harms and deaths. 

Influencing policy and decision-making

Our research has been instrumental in shaping national-level strategies around harm reduction and steered charity responses. Findings have also directly impacted decision-making about local retail environments to prevent harm and reduce health inequalities. 

Our work influences key national approaches and processes in addressing alcohol and tobacco harm

Our research has contributed directly to government-level strategic approaches to addressing the harms of alcohol and tobacco in Scotland. This has been achieved through targeted efforts to raise awareness and understanding of the links between availability and harm. 

Our research findings through CRESH have been embedded in strategic policy development of the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland and key advocacy organisations.

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Public Health Scotland

Our work has been instrumental in shaping the Scottish Government's strategic priorities of Scotland's national public health body, Public Health Scotland. Our research findings and recommendations have shaped the strategic policy development of Public Health Scotland in the areas of alcohol and tobacco. 

Our work has also inspired further research and action being commissioned by Public Health Scotland and Cancer Research UK.

You can learn more about Public Health Scotland's work on alcohol and tobacco on their website.

Scottish Government

Our research has been influential in shaping the Scottish Government strategies.

As a result of our combined research efforts, we influenced the content of key elements of the Scottish Government's strategy and legislation addressing alcohol and tobacco harm. Addressing availability was identified by the Government as a key policy priority, with this direction heavily influenced by our research. 

Professors Shortt and Pearce have presented research findings to key policymakers in the Scottish Government, including:

  • Invited members of the NHS Scotland Advisory Group, Tobacco Pricing and Availability
  • Engaging directly with Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) through invitations to speak at meetings of various Cross-Party Groups
  • Professor Pearce has given invited presentations to the Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Tobacco Control

As a result of our work and engagement with policymakers, some of our highlights also include:

  • Our evidence was presented to the Licensing (Scotland) Bill was used to draft an amendment that would compel the Scottish Government to develop a national register of licensed premises.
  • Our work has received two Parliamentary commendations in motions lodged by MSPs and signed by a total of 36 MSPs.​​​​​​
  • The research has also been cited in at least two Parliamentary sessions, demonstrating a shift in political will to addressing the harms of widespread alcohol availability.

You can read more about Scotland's public health priorities on the government website.

Work by our researchers has been instrumental in affecting decision-making relating to alcohol licensing in Scotland. 

There are 32 Licensing Boards in Scotland. As a regulatory standard, each Licensing Board is required to produce overprovision statements every four years. When an area is declared over provided, any further alcohol license applications in the area should normally be refused. Council areas have explicitly related their overprovision decision to the research and data developed by Professors Shortt and Pearce. These informed decisions are helping to reshape local environments with the potential to improve health. 

Our research has also been critical in shaping various local alcohol strategies, including:

  • Edinburgh Alcohol Strategy (2017-19)
  • Borders Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Annual Report (2017-18)
  • The Alcohol Policy Review (2018) Impact on Moray Report

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