SARG releases first Budget briefing report

The Sheffield Addictions Research Group has launched an ongoing series of Budget Briefing Notes exploring the potential health and economic consequences of tobacco and alcohol tax changes, beginning with the Autumn 2024 Budget.
Following a recent project that aimed to provide evidence and tools to asses the potential impact of tobacco and alcohol taxation on public health and health inequalities in the UK, SARG researchers are now using modelling developed in the project to estimate the potential health and economic effects of changes to tobacco and alcohol tax announced in the UK Government Budget.
We plan to release regular briefings in response to future UK Budgets, offering timely analysis of the potential implications of tobacco and alcohol tax adjustments.
Download the first Budget Briefing Note, published following the Budget of 30 October 2024:
Morris D, Gillespie D, Angus C, Chen R, Brennan A (2024) Modelling of the health and economic impacts of alcohol and tobacco tax policy in England: Autumn Budget 2024. An analysis using the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Model University of Sheffield. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15131/shef.data.27678243
The analysis uses the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Model (STAPM), a sophisticated policy appraisal tool which jointly models trends and dynamics in alcohol and tobacco consumption, and associated health and economic outcomes. The model estimates the impact of tax and price policy changes on these outcomes.
SARG researchers share insights into youth and student drinking at national conference
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) recently presented their findings on youth and student drinking trends at the Student Health Association Annual Conference, held from Sunday 29 June to Tuesday 1 July 2025 in Sheffield.
SARG researchers co-author new book exploring 'culture of caution' in youth drinking decline
A new book by an international team of experts, including researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), unpacks the complex social, cultural and economic factors driving the decline in young people's alcohol consumption.
SARG's Lucy Burke wins Open Research Prize 2025
Lucy Burke, a Qualitative Research Associate and PhD Student with the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), has been awarded the University of Sheffield Open Research Prize 2025 in the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) category.
SARG showcases research at School of Medicine and Population Health event
Researchers from SARG are set to showcase their work at the University of Sheffield's School of Medicine and Population Health Research and Innovation Meeting 2025.
You might also be interested in…
Reforming alcohol taxes in a cost-of-living crisis
Evaluating the impact of reforms to the UK alcohol tax system, increases to alcohol tax rates, and the current cost-of-living crisis on alcohol consumption, associated harms and health inequalities.
Budget Briefing Notes
Our rapid-response reports use the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Modelling Platform to offer timely analysis of the potential implications of changes to alcohol and tobacco taxation following UK Government Budget announcements.
SARG study on UK alcohol tax reforms published in The Lancet Public Health
A new study published this week in The Lancet Public Health by the Sheffield Addictions Research Group shows that while recent reforms to UK alcohol taxation are a step in the right direction, they are unlikely to significantly improve public health outcomes without further changes.