Sheffield Addictions
Research Group
Public health and health economic research on alcohol, tobacco, gambling and addiction.
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) is based in the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield. Our innovative research, spanning from modelling the effects of policy interventions to understanding complex human behaviour, has directly shaped legislation and public health strategies in the UK and internationally.
Research areas
Alcohol
We are an international centre of excellence for public health research on alcohol. Since 2008 our alcohol research has played a key role in current policy and public debate.
Tobacco
We are continually expanding our portfolio of tobacco research, with a commitment to conducting policy-relevant research that can inform evidence-based interventions.
Gambling
We are actively engaged in emerging areas of gambling research, seeking to understand and address the complex issues surrounding addiction and public health.
Featured projects
Latest news
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New SARG study finds young people are three times more likely to start with alcohol than no/lo alternatives
New research from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) and University College London (UCL) has found that young people aged 16-25 in Great Britain are three times more likely to start drinking alcohol than alcohol-free and low-alcohol (no/lo) alternatives.
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SARG to showcase latest public health research at UKSBM Annual Scientific Meeting
Members of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) will join researchers from across the country to present work on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks, agent-based modelling, systems mapping and food insecurity.
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SARG professors appointed to Institute of Alcohol Studies Expert Advisory Panel
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) is pleased to announce that Professor John Holmes and Professor Colin Angus have joined the Expert Advisory Panel for the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).
New on the blog
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How the five dimensions of access can shape effective youth vaping policy
Calum Lewis examines how the 'five dimensions of access' framework can help evaluate the effectiveness of youth vaping policy. By systematically identifying the factors that facilitate e-cigarette use, his research highlights key leverage points for more targeted and effective national regulations.
Latest journal papers
Low and no alcohol availability and sales in small retailers in Great Britain: A geographic longitudinal analysis from 2018 to 2022
Valiente R, Tunstall H, Wilson LB, Gillespie D, Pearce J, Shortt NK (2026)
Addiction
Research collaborations
