Insights

Personal insights and blogs from members of the SPECTRUM Consortium

A collection of blogs, articles and interviews featuring members across the SPECTRUM Consortium

A woman next to the text Vera Buss; University College London

Securing public health legislation is difficult. One thing which inhibits or facilitates this is the extent to which the public supports measures. Between 2021 and 2023, public support for action on smoking and vaping has significantly grown which should give the government confidence to pursue a bold agenda on tackling these products.

A glass shop front with an open sign in the window.

The Scottish Government has pledged to achieve a smoke-free generation by 2034, identifying the reduction of tobacco availability across communities as a top policy priority. Dr. Roberto Valiente leads a new SPECTRUM study exploring how implementing a tobacco license scheme could effectively contribute to this goal.

Mapping Tool for Alcohol and Tobacco in Scotland

Dr Roberto Valiente Borox explores the potential of a newly launched interactive tool that maps the availability of alcohol and tobacco in Scotland, specifically designed for neighborhood analysis.

Headshot of Dr Alice Tompson, SPECTRUM research fellow

In light of the recent Scottish Government consultation into alcohol marketing, SPECTRUM Research Fellow, Dr Alice Tompson, explores the ways in which unhealthy commodity industries exploit the consultation process to influence policy that favours profits over public health.

Illustration of two people talking with speech bubbles

Establishing and maintaining dialogue between research and policy is key to achieving impact. Find out more about our recent activities engaging with Scottish Government policy teams and the Scottish Parliament on the topic of industry influence, and the crucial role of our knowledge brokers.

Photograph of Keith Syrett and Cecile Knai

Breakfast cereal manufacturer, Kellogg’s, recently lost a High Court legal challenge against new UK government regulations designed to tackle childhood obesity. SPECTRUM members, Keith Syrett and Cécile Knai, explore the case and its implications for public health.

Jamie Pearce headshot

The tobacco industry has long argued that tobacco is vital for increasing customer footfall in small retailers. Professor Jamie Pearce explains why this is no longer the case.

SPECTRUM SIPHER levelling up publication graphic with logos

By Alistair Brown, Kat Smith, Rob Ralston and Clementine Hill O’Connor

Jaspreet Bal Randhawa Profile banner

Despite current regulations, new research from the University of Nottingham has found reality TV shows drive widespread exposure to tobacco, alcohol and ‘Junk food’ content. SPECTRUM Research Assistant, Jaspreet Bal Randhawa, discusses the study findings.

In conversation with Professor Niamh Fitzgerald event banner

SPECTRUM Deputy Director and Impact Lead, Professor Niamh Fitzgerald, sits down with Dr Nason Maani to discuss her journey into public health and how to generate impact.

Dr Parvati Perman-Howe, SPECTRUM research fellow blog image

Following the launch of our new public involvement group, SPECTRUM Research Fellow, Dr Parvati Perman-Howe, reminds us why working with members of the public is crucial to delivering quality research and shares her top tips for meaningful public involvement.

SPECTRUM researchers Professor Mark Petticrew and Professor Jeff Collin discuss the influence of powerful unhealthy commodity industries as a significant barrier to progress in public health policy.

Profile of Caroline Cerny

Caroline Cerny from the Obesity Health Alliance shares highlights from our joint webinar on 16 November, exploring how to turn recommendations from the recently published healthy weight strategy into action.

Dr Loren Kock blog image

SPECTRUM Research Fellow, Dr Loren Kock, outlines recent progress from the Smoking Toolkit Study following the launch of their new website.

Stoptober logo

Jamie Brown, University College London, and Martin Dockrell, Public Health England, reflect on the Stoptober national smoking cessation campaign as it enters its tenth year.

Global Week for Action on NCDs 2021 logo

This week marks Global Week for Action on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 

 

Profile of Caroline Cerny

Caroline Cerny, Alliance Lead at the Obesity Health Alliance, marks one year of the Government’s landmark Tackling Obesity strategy.

In conversation Linda Bauld event banner

SPECTRUM Director, Professor Linda Bauld, discusses her path into public health, highlights of her career to date, and her science communication work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Lauren Carters-White blog image

Dr Lauren Carters-White explains why the news that the Government is potentially reneging on their proposal to ban online advertisements of HFSS products is a particularly concerning one - especially as this was highlighted as a flagship policy in Summer 2020 and a key part of the UK Government’s new obesity strategy

Dr Lauren Carters-White blog image

SPECTRUM Research Fellow, Dr Lauren Carters-White, discusses opportunities and challenges around the recent UK Government announcement of unhealthy food promotions legislation.

Professor Niamh Shortt queries the next steps for tobacco control in Scotland, in a blog for The Centre for Research on Environment Society and Health (CRESH)

Dr Lauren White has written a blog on her PhD, which examined parents’ and children’s views on the regulation of online advertising of unhealthy food and drink to children