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Daily news - 20th March 2026 |
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UK news
Pathways between probation and addiction: a follow-up study
This report presents follow-up analysis building on Pathways between probation and addiction treatment in England: report - GOV.UK focusing on people sentenced to community orders (COs) and suspended sentence orders (SSOs) with an Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) or Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR). It examines engagement with alcohol and drug treatment, how engagement relates to reconvictions outcomes, and their characteristics | DHSC, UK
Low and no alcohol availability and sales in small retailers in Great Britain: A geographic longitudinal analysis from 2018 to 2022
[Open access] The United Kingdom Government is committed to reducing alcohol consumption through increasing the availability of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (No/Lo) drinks; however, little is known about whether these products are equally available across different types of neighbourhoods, which may have implications for inequalities in potential health benefits or harms from exposure to No/Lo drinks. This study measured differences in the availability and sales of No/Lo products in small retailers across disparate types of neighbourhoods in Great Britain and over time | Addiction, UK
ACS launches Decline09 campaign to prepare retailers for generational tobacco ban
The trade body has put together a one-page guide on the actions retailers need to take to prepare | The Grocer, UK
Council to ask Scottish Government for vape shop regulations
The council will ask The Scottish Government for powers to regulate vape shops after the Union Street fire in Glasgow, which is thought to have begun in a shop selling vapes | Edinburgh Reporter, UK
ADHD: Addictions
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment has been made on the relationship between ADHD and Substance Use Disorders | They work for you, UK
Vaping Shops (Licensing)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a licensing system for local authorities to address the growing number of vaping shops | They work for you, UK
Shopping addiction on the rise, says rehab boss
Nick Dunkley, who runs Banbury Lodge - a private rehabilitation clinic in Oxfordshire - said he had seen cases of compulsive buying rise over the past decade | BBC, UK
Borough vape shops under 'active investigation'
A number of vape shops are "under active investigation" over concerns about illegal activity, a council has said | BBC, UK
Jersey sets date for new vape liquid excise duty
A new excise duty on vape liquid is due to come into force on 11 May, the Government of Jersey has announced | BBC, UK
Two charged as £75m of cocaine found in banana boxes
Two men have been charged after a "massive" haul of cocaine, stashed among pallets of bananas, was seized at Southampton Docks | BBC, UK
International news
Buzz kill: US breweries shutter as fanfare over craft beers appears to fade
Covid-related downturns and reductions in alcohol consumption have taken a toll on a once booming industry | Guardian, UK
HSE works with content creators on new youth vaping prevention campaign
The HSE is for the first time working with content creators as it launches a new youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign. The HSE has said that the campaign has been specifically tailored to target young people and highlight the harmful effects that vaping can have on their mental, physical and oral health | RTe, Ireland
Prison and drugs: strengthening preparedness across Europe
Addressing drug-related challenges in prisons is a key component of wider public health and security efforts. As the drug use experience of the prison population often reflects wider societal trends, responses in these environments play an important role in identifying drug trends and addressing potential drug-related issues | EUDA, Portugal
EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network: EUDA sets out ‘One Safety’ vision at European Parliament
EUDA Executive Director, Dr Lorraine Nolan, addressed the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), setting out the priorities of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network (JHAAN) for 2026 | EUDA, Portugal
Greece launches digital age verification system to curb tobacco and alcohol sales to minors
Greece has unveiled a new digital application system to verify the age of customers buying tobacco and alcohol, as part of a broader government push to enforce a law banning sales of both products to minors that passed last summer | Euronews, Belgium
Could smoking cannabis help someone drink less alcohol?
More people are substituting cannabis for alcohol with the rising “Cali(fornia) sober” trend, but does it actually reduce drinking? To start answering that question, this novel experiment tested whether smoking cannabis affects alcohol craving and consumption | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Breaking bread, building communication: An adolescent substance use prevention strategy focused around family meals
Substance use during adolescence can lead to long-term risk taking and increased likelihood of developing a substance use disorder in adulthood. Caregiver-initiated communication may help shift youth norms and attitudes about substance use. This study investigated an intervention centering family meals as a vehicle to improve conversations about youth substance use | Recovery Research Institute, USA
Psilocybin combined with psychotherapy shows significant efficacy in treatment-resistant depression
Various studies in recent years have already suggested that the psychedelic psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can have positive effects on depression | Medical Xpress, USA
Australia to toughen tobacco crime laws as cigarette and vape black markets surge
Australia is escalating its fight against the booming illicit tobacco and vape trade with tougher penalties, new offences and expanded police powers. States and territories are being pushed to shut illegal shopfronts as authorities also target online sales and nicotine pouches | ABC News, Australia
Blogs, comment and opinion
Structured treatment via drug and alcohol treatment orders reduces reoffending
Study into pathways between probation and addiction treatment shows half engage in structured treatment which reduces reoffending | Russell Webster, UK