Alcohol policy in the UK must be protected from industry influence and guided by public health, not commercial interests. That was the clear message from a policy roundtable discussion convened by the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA), where experts from research, clinical practice, public health, and lived experience came together in Sheffield on 4 February 2026 to discuss the current state of alcohol policy and the need for a new national alcohol strategy.

A strong part of the discussion focused on the serious and often under-recognised health harms linked to alcohol. Dr Gautam Mehta described how many patients with alcohol-related liver disease only receive a diagnosis when their condition is already at a severe stage. Professor Julia Sinclair pointed out that alcohol problems are often not seen first in specialist treatment settings, but in general hospitals and primary care, where alcohol use may be the underlying issue behind a wide range of health problems. The roundtable also addressed alcohol’s role in chronic harms, including cancer and liver disease.

Speakers also challenged the way alcohol harm is commonly framed in both public debate and policy. Aunee Bhogaita highlighted how deeply alcohol is embedded in social norms, while Alice Wiseman argued that the idea of alcohol harm as simply an “individual problem” has been strongly shaped by industry narratives. Clive Henn noted that this same perspective can be seen in policymaking, where alcohol is often discussed in ways that reflect industry interests rather than public health priorities.

The discussion also explored how the alcohol industry influences policy, from shaping evidence and debate to using legal threats and political relationships. Professor John Holmes outlined the different ways this influence works in practice, while Dr Peter Rice pointed out that industry actors tend to focus only on a narrow set of harms, such as underage drinking or drink-driving, while ignoring broader chronic health damage. Rosanna O’Connor suggested alcohol policy could learn from tobacco control, where stronger safeguards exist to limit industry involvement. The full roundtable is now available to watch online and offers an important contribution to future discussions on what an effective national alcohol strategy should look like.

Find more from Society for the Study of Addiction (UK, March 2026)