09/07/2026
People in Tayside are being asked to consider the role that alcohol plays in their lives during this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week (6-12 July 2026).
Led by charity Alcohol Change UK, the theme for this year’s awareness week is Alcohol and Me, which invites us to pause and reflect on our drinking habits and the impact they have.
The week aims to normalise checking in with our drinking in the same way we keep track of other aspects of our health and wellbeing, such as visiting the dentist, monitoring our blood pressure or getting our eyes tested.
The week provides an opportunity to talk about issues around alcohol, to help people make more informed choices about their drinking. As part of Alcohol Awareness week, NHS Tayside will be sharing a series of awareness messages and resources, encouraging people to check in on their drinking habits and consider one small change that could support their health and wellbeing.
NHS Tayside is also inviting staff and members of the public to consider one small change they may wish to make during the week and fill in the Tayside One Small Change Pledge online (link below in comments).
Dr Victoria Stanford, Public Health Lead for Alcohol & Drugs at NHS Tayside, said, “Alcohol is a leading cause of preventable ill health and early death in Scotland. From reducing our sleep quality, straining our relationships to increasing our risk of cancer- alcohol has a wide range of negative impacts on our health.
“The way alcohol is marketed, sold, and advertised can make it feel embedded in our culture and an inevitable part of our everyday experience. Alcohol Awareness Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the role alcohol plays in our lives, and the harms it may bring to those around us. Because no level of alcohol is risk-free, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink even by a small amount will bring important health benefits.”
For more information about alcohol and how to get support visit www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol