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David Barbour

@gayalcoholic.bsky.social
101 followers 110 following 130 posts

Gay alcoholic in recovery. Interested in reducing alcohol harm and LGBT health inequalities. Elton fanatic. Pound shop renaissance man. Views are my own.

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Reposted by David Barbour
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 17/06/2026
When you see health information, use the TRUST acronym to help figure out if it is misinformation. An excellent tool by @wcrf.org for their Cancer Prevention Awareness Week, which focuses on health misinformation.
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Great job opportunity for the right person!
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Reposted by David Barbour
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 10/06/2026
Consumers are 10x more likely to see “drink responsibly” industry messages than an actual health warning on alcohol labels That’s not information - that’s deflection AHA's new report shows why mandatory, evidence-based alcohol labelling is long overdue
ahauk.org
A Clear Way Forward: The Case for Better Alcohol Labelling
This report is the most comprehensive audit to date of alcohol labels in the UK and demonstrates why mandatory alcohol labelling is needed.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Owen Jones @owenjones.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
When white people try to behead people - what happens? Do the likes of @gbnewsonline.bsky.social's Patrick Christys issue inflammatory tweets about white people? No. They say nothing.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Politicians who fanned these flames should hang their heads in shame. Time and again we've seen this story play out. Single incidents used to fuel a far right narrative - and communities across the nation paying the price.
Huge fires encompassing a street with buildings, cars and the majority of the street on fire with plumes of black smoke.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This is no more about the details of immigration policy than the progroms my great great grandparents fled were about Jews committing crimes. It's straightforward racist violence and it needs the strongest possible response.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Everyone on X and elsewhere who called for a violent response should be charged with incitement. Everyone involved in the pogrom should be locked up with exemplary sentences. Govt should make it clear that will be the response in future anywhere else. Enough.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
For #BigAlcohol - the #WorldCup is a big chance to push alcohol to children and young people, as well as cement the curious relationship between alcohol & sport. #AlcoholMarketing #AlcoholFreeKids bigalcohol.exposed/how-big-alco...
bigalcohol.exposed
How Big Alcohol Is Using the 2026 World Cup to Push Young People Back to Alcohol - BigAlcohol Exposed
Big Alcohol corporations are turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup into the largest alcohol marketing operation in the history of sport. For instance, Diageo, AB InBev and Ambev are using the tournament as ...
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A small minority of particularly vile LGBTphobic women made trans lives worse to solve an imaginary problem. The real problems faced by women remain entirely untouched.
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Reposted by David Barbour
PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
TransActual says EHRC Code of Practice ‘weakens protections for LGBTQ+ people as a whole’ www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/22/tran…
thepinknews.com
TransActual says EHRC Code 'weakens protections for all LGBTQ+ people'
LGBTQ+ charities have reacted to the updated EHRC draft Code of Practice, which makes it lawful to exclude trans people from gendered spaces
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The new #ScottishCabinet has now been announced. We published the first of a new series of monthly blogs from our CEO @carolynl.bsky.social where she shares her hopes for the next Parliament www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/in... @angelaconstance.bsky.social @mareetodd.bsky.social
Image of AFS CEO Carolyn Lochhead with text quote reading: “For the fifty-plus families in Scotland who will lose someone to alcohol this week, it’s already too late. But for the one in five people in Scotland still drinking at levels that put their health at risk there is still time. 

“We can prevent other families experiencing the devastation of losing someone to alcohol: and every MSP has a role to play.”
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
We asked people in Glasgow whether they thought Scotland has a problem with alcohol. The answer was a resounding yes. We want to see the new Scottish Government end the half measures and get serious about tackling alcohol harm. #NoMoreHalfMeasures
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
All the main parties have now published their manifestos for the #ScottishElections We’ve worked through the detail of each manifesto to see which parties have signed up to support policies that will reduce alcohol harms and save lives. alcoholfocus.substack.com/p/alcohol-an...
Image depicting a person voting with text overlay reading: Alcohol and the Party Manifestos
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
"There is strong evidence that exposure to #alcohol sponsorship in sport is associated with higher alcohol consumption and more hazardous drinking patterns." Alcohol has no place in sport.
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SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
With Coca‑Cola and Jubel sponsoring this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, @robinireland.bsky.social outlines how sponsorship of sport by health‑harming industries (including alcohol, junk food, sugary drinks and gambling) can negatively impact public health. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
scotsman.com
Why watching the Commonwealth Games could be bad for your health
Fizzy drinks and alcohol are big sponsors of major sporting events despite the health problems they can cause
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Myth ❎ Only 'alcoholics' or 'dependent drinkers' develop #LiverDisease Fact ✅ Even binge drinking just once per month can substantially increase the risk of liver disease #WorldLiverDay
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Reposted by David Barbour
SHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
SHAAP is proud to support @alcoholfocus.bsky.social's #AlcoholFreeKids campaign. We believe children have the right to play, learn and socialise in places that are safe and health, protected from exposure to alcohol marketing.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
The Jury is in 👩‍⚖️ #AlcoholMarketing fuels drinking and related harms among children and young people We're calling for #NoMoreHalfMeasures on alcohol harm🫷 It's time for comprehensive restrictions on alcohol marketing
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
It would be ridiculous to consider increasing the already vast overprovision of alcohol at any time. At a time when violence at football is increasing, and we have near record alcohol deaths - utter lunacy.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
On #TransDayofVisibility, a reminder that the trans community experiences significantly higher rates of alcohol harm. National alcohol treatment guidelines emphasize that services must be inclusive, non-judgmental, and tailored to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
We’ve added a new page to our website providing information about the upcoming #ScottishElections Featuring all you need to help us campaign for the next Parilament to end the half measures and get serious about tackling alcohol harm. twp.ai/9PcmJP
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
"Whilst the implementation and uprating of minimum unit pricing has been a major success, saving hundreds of lives and averting thousands of hospital admissions, action in other areas has largely stalled – with industry influence often a clear roadblock..."
twp.ai
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
Blog: New Strategy, New Parliament, New Hope | News | Alcohol Focus Scotland
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
"The upstream-downstream metaphor has come to be used in ways that depart radically from its original intent, which was to characterise the practices of powerful commercial actors who profit from the production of harm and disease."
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Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Maybe we could imagine a future where we focus on safer, family-friendly grounds with improved, inclusive facilities for a great day out. 🙌 Places parents feel are safe to bring their kids without worrying about #alcohol fuelled violence and disorder. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/footba...
dailyrecord.co.uk
I'm an SPFL star who took my son to Rangers vs Celtic - it was my worst decision
The Falkirk striker landed tickets for the away end as he treated his son to his first ever Old Firm game
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Reposted by David Barbour
Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
"A flagship health project in Africa, which UK ministers said would play a vital role in protecting Britain from future pandemic threats, is being axed" Another stupid, short-sighted, decision from this dire Starmer government www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
UK government axes flagship global health project
Programme which supports schemes in six African countries was previously hailed as vital protection for Britain against future pandemics
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
That should be an end to these ridiculous so called 'pilots' of bringing alcohol back to football grounds.
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
👏👏
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Thinking about what to get for #MothersDay? You can't go far wrong with flowers to brighten someone's mood! Give a gift for wellbeing this Mother's Day. #ThinkOutsideTheBottle
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Our new #AFSManifesto calls for #NoMoreHalfMeasures People in recovery want to see greater investment and access to alcohol treatment and support and for Government not to be swayed by the alcohol industry Read our manifesto twp.ai/9Pb7hc
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
We're insane.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
A cost effective way to reduce the estimated £700million annual #NHS alcohol tab would be for the next #ScottishParliament to enact policies in our #AFSManifesto, including: ▶️ Restricting #AlcoholMarketing ▶️ Mandatory health warnings on alcohol products ▶️ Automatic uprating of #MUP
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Simple message to the next Scottish Parliament. No more half measures. Time to put public health ahead of industry profit.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
More than half of Reform UK members believe non-white British citizens born abroad should be deported or encouraged to leave. No different to the old BNP or National Front voters. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Most Reform members believe non-white UK citizens born abroad should be forced or encouraged to leave, poll finds
Nigel Farage’s attempts to appeal to centre-ground voters may cause tension in his party, according to Hope Not Hate
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Late licensing for World Cup likely to increase disorder then - even if I imagine in this particular case demand could be higher. And no doubt plenty of illegal serving to intoxicated people by an industry that preached 'responsibility'.
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Well that's a wrap at the @scottishlabour.bsky.social Conference for us #TodayAtAFS Gillian of Alcohol Free Mums shares her thoughts on the conversations we had with MSPs and candidates - and on the alcohol policy asks we were discussing
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Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
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
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
We're twice as likely to die an alcohol death as our heterosexual peers. Anti LGBT hate has consequences.
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Less than a week left to apply for this great post!
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Reposted by David Barbour
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 10/02/2026
In our latest blog, Jem Roberts and Dr Peter Rice unpack the panic about pub closures - and show why much of it is misleading 🍺 What’s actually happening? ⬇️ Pub numbers have fallen for over a century - this isn’t new ⬆️ Employment in pubs has stayed stable... www.ias.org.uk/2026/02/10/i...
ias.org.uk
Is the Great British Pub on the verge of extinction? The truth behind the headlines - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Media headlines often suggest that British pubs are in terminal decline. But is that true?
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David Barbour @gayalcoholic.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
It's both funny and deeply frustrating when you reach the point of having had a long career in the Third Sector that you attend sessions on prevention, and they sound great. 16 years on, you sit listening to the same stuff - with little having changed, or things having gotten worse. 🤦‍♂️
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Reposted by David Barbour
Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 29/01/2026
In our new FOI study we found that Budweiser directly urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene and "ensure" that DHSC removed alcohol marketing restrictions from the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan. Health policy should be protected from industry influence. www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
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PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Council of Europe votes to pass trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy www.thepinknews.com/2026/01/30/conv…
thepinknews.com
Council of Europe votes to ban conversion therapy
The Council of Europe has voted to pass a resolution banning so-called 'conversion therapy' for all, including trans people.
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Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
We've just published our eFocus newsletter for January 2026!📰 A roundup of all the latest news and views from AFS, as well as the latest on alcohol policy, research and events. Don't miss news of our new CEO and two fantastic job opportunities! mailchi.mp/7095e247ae3a...
Image with text reading: eFocus January 2026

Then text box below with text:

Alcohol Focus Scotland announces Carolyn Lochhead as new Chief Executive
Welcome decrease in hospital admissions - but alcohol harm remains pervasive
AFS is recruiting!
FOI documents show how alcohol industry pressure forced marketing restrictions out of NHS health plan
NCD Alliance Reports: Cheaper Drinks, Costly Consequences
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Reposted by David Barbour
Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Great to hear @mareetodd.bsky.social note the #PublicHealth case against changing the law on alcohol in football stadia 👏 But we've yet to see any sign that the so called 'pilots' constitute the 'robust, independent research' demanded by football authorities' own exploratory research.
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Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Alcohol costs our economy billions in lost productivity through sickness, presenteeism and early death Tax breaks for #BigAlcohol won't lead to economic growth Reducing alcohol harm by taking action on price, availability and marketing almost certainly would
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