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Carolyn

@carolynl.bsky.social

CEO, Alcohol Focus Scotland. I post about AFS' work and Scottish politics/policy in general, with some books, parenting and Jambos chat thrown in from time to time.

52 Posts68 Follower210 Folgt
Alcohol Focus Scotland@alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 2w ago

Our latest 'In Focus: AFS CEO Blog' is out. This month @carolynl.bsky.social is asking - Why do we need an Alcohol Action Day for Scotland? www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/wh...

News | In Focus: The Monthly AFS CEO Blog - Why we need an Alcohol Action Day in Scotland

“Delighted”.   It’s a word I challenge myself never to use. If you regularly share news on social media, as I do, then you’ll know it’s the adjective we all tend to reach for – but it can’t always be...

alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 4w ago

Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for covering this joint approach to the First Minister from @alcoholfocus.bsky.social and @shaapalcohol.bsky.social. Scotland needs clear and consistent leadership on public health: not ever cheaper access to alcohol. We hope he will listen to us.

The National@scotnational.bsky.social · last mo.

Campaigners working to tackle alcohol harm have penned a furious letter to John Swinney urging him against lobbying the UK Government on reducing duty, claiming it is at odds with his pledge to tackle domestic abuse

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · last mo.

A disappointing lack of focus on the catastrophe that is Scotland's relationship with alcohol in today's #ProgrammeforGovernment. There's no point calling it a public health emergency without announcing any emergency action. We need a strong alcohol harm prevention plan published ASAP.

Alcohol Focus Scotland@alcoholfocus.bsky.social · last mo.

The First Minister has today announced the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment 2026-2031 Read our response🔽

Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with text reading: "The Scottish Government is right to describe the impact of alcohol on Scotland as a public health emergency. But this Programme for Government doesn’t back up these words with action proportionate to the scale of damage to Scotland's health, economy and wellbeing. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing (MUP) and the lack of ambition to build on this legacy is frustrating. To truly tackle Scotland’s catastrophic relationship with alcohol, we need to put prevention at the heart of the health agenda. The Scottish Government must introduce automatic uprating of MUP, so its impact is not eroded by inflation. Alongside this, they must reform the licensing system and take decisive action to restrict alcohol marketing.”
Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I'm loving the Scotland team and the Tartan Army taking over Boston for the #WorldCup- but we need to talk about the booze. My latest In Focus blog post for @alcoholfocus.bsky.social. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/in...

News | In Focus: The AFS monthly CEO blog - June 2026

In the first of a new series of monthly CEO blogs, Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, shares her thoughts post-election on Alcohol Focus Scotland’s hopes for the new Parliame...

alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Did you know that alcohol is exempt from regulations on listing ingredients? New @alcoholfocus.bsky.social research confirms we're being kept in the dark about alcohol content, and calls on the UK government to change the law. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/on...

News | One in five alcohol products keep consumers in the dark on health information, new study finds

One in five alcohol products sold in the UK fail to meet minimum voluntary labelling guidelines set by the alcohol industry regulator, the Portman Group, according to new analysis of over 530 alcohol ...

alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 5mo ago

While we wait for tomorrow's election results, why not have a listen to me on the Scottish Drugs Forum podcast, talking about how we tackle alcohol harm, the role of @alcoholfocus.bsky.social and how we as leaders can stay healthy. A very wide-ranging chat! drugsuncut.podbean.com

Drugs Uncut | Scottish Drugs Forum

Drugs Uncut - A space for informal yet informed conversation on drug-related issues in Scotland brought to you by Scottish Drugs Forum

drugsuncut.podbean.com

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I come from a family that loves football, and I want what's best for the sport - that's why I don't want to see alcohol re-introduced in Scotland's stadiums. Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for the chance to write about it. www.thenational.scot/politics/259...

Lifting the alcohol ban at football matches would be a mistake

WE were told those days were past. And yet, after last month’s Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic, we were confronted once…

thenational.scot

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Saw Flight at the Citizen’s Theatre tonight. An individual viewing of a story told through 3D models and recorded dialogue, recounting the journey of two young boys fleeing Afghanistan. Quite extraordinary.

David Bol@davidbol.bsky.social · 7mo ago

My take on what was an emotional, highly-charged, and at one point, quite surreal, assisted dying debate in the Scottish Parliament. It has been the most important issue MSPs have debated this parliament, and one of the most crucial in the history of devolution www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Assisted dying Scotland: High emotions as MSPs face most-profound Holyrood decision

The emotional assisted dying debate was a display of Holyrood at its best.

scotsman.com

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Can't remember when I last voluntarily watched a Scottish Parliament session that wasn't directly related to my work, but tonight's Assisted Dying debate is gripping. Dignified, thoughtful, informed, respectful and humane, on both sides of the question. More of this, please, parliamentarians.

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 7mo ago

On the way to Edinburgh for #SNP conference. Will be talking to MSPs and candidates about the @alcoholfocus.bsky.social manifesto No More Half Measures, and how we can tackle Scotland’s disastrous relationship with alcohol. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/no...

News | No more half measures: alcohol charity demands bold alcohol action in next Parliament

Alcohol Focus Scotland has warned Scotland’s next MSPs that it’s time to get serious about tackling the cost of harm caused by alcohol

alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Some thoughts on the new alcohol and drugs strategy… Whoever wins the election in May, it’s a chance for a fresh start. Scotland has led the way before on tackling the harm caused by alcohol, and with political will and determination, we can do so again.

Alcohol Focus Scotland@alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 7mo ago

In her first AFS blog, our new CEO @carolynl.bsky.social analyses the Scottish Government's new #alcohol and #drug strategy. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/bl...

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 7mo ago

With fifty people dying from alcohol every week in Scotland, it's clear we need decisive action. Our #NoMoreHalfMeasures campaign sets out the steps needed to save lives: it's time to get serious about alcohol harm.

Alcohol Focus Scotland@alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 7mo ago

We've published our #AFSManifesto for the @parliament.scot elections 🗳️ Our message for the next #ScottishParliament is simple: #NoMoreHalfMeasures: Time to get serious about alcohol harm Read our manifesto 🔽 www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/resources/No...

Carolyn@carolynl.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Thanks to @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk for a good chat about how we reduce the massive human and financial cost Scotland pays for our relationship with alcohol. And big congratulations on giving up drinking during the election campaign!

Alcohol Focus Scotland@alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Great to attend the @scotlibdems.org.uk Conference today and have some positive chats with MSPs present and possibly future Our CEO @carolynl.bsky.social enjoyed a natter with @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk - pleased to hear about the health benefits he's noticed from an alcohol hiatus!

Picture of Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton and AFS CEO Carolyn Lochhead