SARG Director chairs national alcohol policy roundtable
Professor John Holmes, Director of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), has chaired a high-level expert roundtable discussing the future of alcohol policy in the UK.
The discussion, filmed in Sheffield in February 2026, was organised by the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA). Released in full today, the session brought together eight leading experts from policymaking, public health, research and lived experience to debate the current state of UK alcohol policy and identify future opportunities for change.
Overview of the discussion
The roundtable was convened to provide an informed and open space for experts to discuss the complexities of alcohol harm and the requirements for an effective national strategy. As Chair, Professor Holmes facilitated a broad conversation covering the shifting landscape of alcohol consumption and the various barriers to reducing population-level harm.
Key themes addressed by the panel included:
- Assessing what works in alcohol policy and identifying current 'windows of opportunity' for affecting change.
- Examining the influence of the alcohol industry in shaping policy debates.
- The importance of changing the narrative around those who experience alcohol-related harm.
- The potential risks and benefits of the growing market for no- and low-alcohol products.
- Defining the essential components of a national strategy, including the need for full funding and addressing the core drivers of harm: affordability, availability and marketing.
The panel included Professor John Holmes, Aunee Bhogaita, Clive Henn, Dr Gautam Mehta, Rosanna O'Connor, Dr Peter Rice, Professor Julia Sinclair, and Alice Wiseman MBE.
Watch the full discussion
The full 98-minute roundtable is available to watch below or on the SSA YouTube channel.
About the Society for the Study of Addiction
The SSA is a learned society and charity founded in 1884. Its mission is to advance the scientific understanding of addictive products and behaviours and to promote the use of evidence in policy and practice. Find out more on the SSA website.
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