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The WHO European Region has the highest level of adult alcohol consumption of the six WHO regions. In 2016, the regional average for adults (aged 15 years and older) was 9.8 litres of pure alcohol per capita (comprising 8.0 litres of recorded alcohol and 1.8 litres of unrecorded alcohol). Restricting marketing of alcohol is a WHO recommended “Best Buy” – a cost-effective policy to reduce alcohol consumption and attributable burden. However, with smartphones and tablets becoming ubiquitous, young people and others are increasingly exposed to alcohol marketing in all of their social spaces. This report draws on previous WHO reports on marketing and digital marketing and on consultations with Member States and civil society to stress the need for urgent action to protect public health and human rights. The report discusses the fast-changing digital ecosystem and the methods employed to invade online personal spaces with alcohol marketing. It provides a snapshot of regulatory contexts in a small selection of countries in the WHO European Region, as well as at international level. A range of policy options is suggested, with the overall conclusions emphasizing the urgent need for concerted action by countries and international institutions. A global and comprehensive approach is required, with the intention of protecting children and young people, people with (or at risk of) substance use disorders and the general population by removing marketing of alcohol altogether from digital spaces.

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP)and the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) co-hosteda four-part seminar series to discuss issues relating to women and alcohol. The events were held across 2017 in Edinburgh and London and were intended to stimulate debate, challenge attitudes and perceptions,and encourage people to think about future research and policy priorities. Each seminar focused on a specific topic relating to women and alcohol and was chaired by an eminent academic who invited guest speakers to present personal responses to pre-set questions. This paper draws out and expands upon discussions from the seminars and has been compiled and written by Victoria Troy and Dr Eric Carlin.

This thesis explores young people’s experiences of transition into adulthood in Pilton, a disadvantaged neighbourhood in North Edinburgh, and considers how their social networks influence their perspectives and actions. The stories are told of young people, aged 16–23, including the challenges they face, the richness and diversity of their experiences. Their transition experiences involve families, friends, leisure spaces and engagement with the labour market. The study is located within Elias’ theoretical framework and highlights that strong social networks often flourish more strongly in contexts like this than in more affluent neighbourhoods. The research questions are: 1. How do young people in Pilton experience and manage transitions to adulthood? 2. How do disadvantage, stigma and violence affect the daily lives and transition journeys of young people in Pilton? 3. How useful is the concept of social exclusion to describe young people’s experiences in Pilton? 4. How helpful is the concept of resilience to support young people in Pilton? Main data sources have been fieldwork, carried out between June 2012 and May 2013, mainly in Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP). Desk-based and on-line research, including reviewing historical and contemporary documentation was undertaken to understand the context and to interrogate issues that arose – for example, to understand how embedded poverty and stigma has been throughout the history of Pilton. The study includes consideration of the usefulness of the concepts of social inclusion/exclusion and resilience, both prolific in contemporary discussions about marginalised young people and what ‘to do’ about them. The case is made for reframing the two concepts, returning them to their original intentions, and placing more emphasis on reducing inequalities. The challenges caused to young people by disadvantage, stigma and violence are significant. It is emphasised that these are faced within an unequal society, not as ‘socially excluded’.