What Are the Characteristics of Households That Purchase Alcohol‐Free and Low‐Alcohol Drinks in Great Britain in 2018 and 2021? Introduction The increasing popularity of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (NoLo) drinks could reduce alcohol-related harm if those at greatest risk replace their standard alcoholic drinks with these pr...

📢 New SARG paper! Led by @zoelclarke.bsky.social this study used household purchasing data to examine who buys no/lo drinks. It found that households from higher social grades who purchase more alcohol are most likely to buy no/lo products regularly. #AlcoholPolicy #PublicHealth

1/7
I’m a Green Party councillor for City Ward #Sheffield. It’s a densely populated urban ward.

I’m going to talk about digital advertising screens, which doesn’t sound exciting, but please bear with me.

I want to explain why I spend time objecting to so many of these.

Since 2023, I’ve …

Recruitment poster from the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG). The headline asks: "DO YOU WORK FOR AN ALCOHOL TREATMENT OR RECOVERY SERVICE?" The sub-header reads: "Share your expertise to help the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) understand the advice given to service users about alcohol-free drinks." Eligibility criteria are listed with icons: 1. Must be aged 18 or over. 2. In a client-facing role now or in the last two years. 3. Based in a non-NHS service in the UK. A "PARTICIPATE NOW" section includes three bullet points: 15-20 minutes, 100% anonymous, and "Help shape national guidance" There is a large QR code and the link https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/survey to take the survey. Footer text notes: "This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Incubator. Reference: NIHR200172. University of Sheffield ethics approval has been obtained. Reference: 072040. The sub-header reads: "Share your expertise to help the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) understand the advice given to service users about alcohol-free drinks." Eligibility criteria are listed with icons: 1. Must be aged 18 or over. 2. In a client-facing role now or in the last two years. 3. Based in a non-NHS service in the UK. A "PARTICIPATE NOW" section includes three bullet points: 15-20 minutes, 100% anonymous, and "Help shape national guidance" There is a large QR code and the link bit.ly/4cFKyFh to take the survey. Footer text notes: "This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Incubator. Reference: NIHR200172. University of Sheffield ethics approval has been obtained. Reference: 072040.

We're looking for people who work in alcohol treatment or recovery services to complete a survey about what advice is given to service users about alcohol-free drinks: sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/survey Please share to help us reach as many people as possible! #AlcoholRecovery #MentalHealth

England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gyms

England’s poorest areas have ~70% more vape shops & bookmakers, but far fewer childcare spaces and community venues. Our high streets aren’t neutral — they shape health, opportunity and inequality.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

The value of an informed opinion – using deliberative methods to engage citizens on corporate influence - NIHR School for Public Health Research Blog by SPHR intern Sachin Weatherburn  Determinants of health  Within South Yorkshire, the gap in life expectancy between the least and most deprived areas is 8.7 years for men, and 7.6 years for wom...

Blog from our intern, Sachin, who worked on our project last summer. We are engaging Sheffield residents on corporate influence and the commercial determinants of health. Read below 👇

sphr.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-eve...

How abolishing the wealth tax changed a country Sweden abolished its wealth tax. Tax became transactional, destroying the sense of a community building something together

Sweden abolished its wealth tax in 2006. At the time it seemed “practical, not political.” Two decades later, many pensioners see it as a turning point toward a more unequal society. Miranda Sheild Johansson reports. From _The conversation_ -- thanks!

eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/fin...

Wood-burning stoves face new restrictions – but a loophole from Britain’s smog years is fuelling the problem The UK wants cleaner air. But its rules are stuck in the age of smog.

With new UK consultations open on air quality and domestic #woodburning, I am resharing an article I wrote for The Conversation on wood-smoke, PM2.5 and the limits of current regulation.

theconversation.com/wood-burning...

#publichealth #airquality #cleanairnight

What the world can learn from Copenhagen’s cycling revolution Close to two-thirds of the city’s residents commute by bike to school or work every day.

“When mayors in other cities ask me how #Copenhagen afforded to invest in its cycling networks, I ask them how on earth they have been able to afford highway projects. We invested in bike lanes because that was the cheapest option.”

What the world can learn from Copenhagen’s cycling revolution.

a little boy sitting at a table with a plate of food and a cup that says how on it ALT: a little boy sitting at a table with a plate of food and a cup that says how on it

I cut up strawberries for my 19 month old in the wrong shape so they are obviously now inedible

Supporting #CleanAirNight in RB Kingston. #Surbiton is worst place in UK for air pollution according to IQAir study & high rates of stove ownership according to UCL wood burner map. Awareness raising in the media has reduced #woodsmoke a bit, but more campaigning is needed! @mumsforlungs.bsky.social

NIHR PHIRST Scheme Application Webinar January 2026 YouTube video by NIHR PHIRST

Applying to PHIRST? Have questions?
Watch our webinar with practical tips on applying to the current call 📺
🗓️Closing Date 3 Feb, 1PM
youtube.com/watch?v=_o43...
@local.gov.uk @adphuk.bsky.social @publichealthscot.bsky.social @cosla.gov.uk

A cream cheese cinnamon bun and takeaway coffee sit on a sofa smeared with yoghurt stains and crumbs from the photographers toddler

Today is Nollaig na mBan - ‘Women’s Christmas’ - my friend told me about this celebration in Ireland where women get together after the hard work of Christmas to share a sweet treat and relax. I’m working today but I’m still going to have a sweet treat to honour this lovely tradition!

I agree- if only I’d seen this 🚩sooner

A box of After Eights has been torn open chaotically at the end of the box.

How my partner has opened this box of After Eights gives me anxiety. This is a crime surely?!

The best closed sign I have ever seen - spotted in #Sheffield

🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.

A pissed off thread using data.

Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10

A synthesis of explanations for spatial inequalities in gambling harm: integrating social and material dimensions of place Place matters for understanding patterns of gambling harm as shown by the spatial clustering of both ‘vulnerable’ people and gambling outlets. Harms a…

This new paper synthesises explanations for why gambling harm is unequal across communities. Led by Katie Powell and with SARG's @soc-researcher.bsky.social, @abi-stevely.bsky.social and @zoelclarke.bsky.social. #GamblingHarm #AddictionResearch #PublicHealth

New paper published in Health & Place… A synthesis of explanations for spatial inequalities in gambling harm: integrating social and material dimensions of place www.sciencedirect.com:5037/science/arti...

Preparing for (nuclear) winter: the Becky Barnicoat cartoon Survival of the fittest …

Preparing for (nuclear) winter: the Becky Barnicoat cartoon

Local government types: I am interested in examples of systems for sharing outputs from engagement exercises broadly across an organisation (or at least making them accessible and searchable) - does anyone know of good work in this space?

Bus Fleet and Network Services Survey - South Yorkshire MCA We are bringing buses back under public control. We want to hear from residents across South Yorkshire about how we can design better buses that are accessible for everyone. A public survey asking f...

Buses in South Yorkshire are coming back under public control - have your say on what you want the new system to look like!

www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/explore/bus-...

With winter fast approaching, we're sharing 5 facts about wood burning to help keep you, your family and local community safe over the colder months 👉

Professor John Holmes contributes to major new report outlining actions to tackle alcohol harm - Sheffield Addictions Research Group SARG Director Professor John Holmes was part of an expert panel that supported the development of 'A Healthier Future: A long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK', a significant new report pu...

SARG Director @jholmessheff.bsky.social was part of an expert panel that supported the development of 'A Healthier Future: A long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK', a significant new report published by the Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk this week. @fohsheffield.bsky.social

People outside a pub

The government recently announced plans to extend the opening hours for pubs and bars in England and Wales.

This proposal shows a failure to differentiate between healthy and harmful growth, say @spidermaani.bsky.social @maizie333.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...

UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’ Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2

Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...

Misleading UK adverts for ’very low emission’ wood-burning stoves banned ASA action won approval of clean air campaigners, who said some ‘seriously misleading myths’ had been debunked

Misleading UK adverts for ’very low emission’ wood-burning stoves banned

- @adstandards.bsky.social ruling won approval of clean air campaigners, who said some ‘seriously misleading myths’ had been debunked

Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

It’s one thing to have different environmental/health priorities for your foundation, it’s quite another to have been bankrolling one of the primary sources of bullshit on the topic.

We’ve made this investigation free to read because so many people in Sheffield are affected by this story.

Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.

We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.

My son loves looking at the ads on the tube 🚇 always spotting his favourite musicals 🎶

He saw this one and went "ooh sweets" 🍬

Trading standards are right: shorturl.at/I6yN1
We urgently need regulation for nicotine pouches to stop them being sold and marketed to children

Cardiff may become UK's first city to impose SUV parking premium Owners of large cars such as SUVs would be charged more to encourage switching to smaller vehicles.

This would be a UK first and demonstrates real commitment to pedestrian safety. Children are eight times more likely to be killed in an SUV collision than with a smaller car. By switching to smaller vehicles we can create cleaner and safer streets for all http://bit.ly/492FGIn