Dr Nathan Critchlow

Research Fellow

Institute for Social Marketing University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Nathan Critchlow

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About me

Nathan Critchlow is currently a Griffith Edward's Academic Fellow for the Society for the Study of Addiction, and is based in Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport. He specialises in quantitative methods to analyse marketing activity and the association with health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours in consumers. His previous research includes analysing real-time retail data to monitor price and market changes following the introduction of standardised tobacco packaging, surveys of adolescent and young adult exposure to alcohol marketing, and other research into digital marketing, new media, sport sponsorship, and pricing. His current work includes research into tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and food marketing.

Research (20)

Projects

Evaluating the Impact of Increasing the Availability of No/Lo Alcohol Products
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research

Examining the causal association between alcohol marketing and alcohol-related attitudes and consumption: A longitudinal cohort study with adults in the United Kingdom
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Department of Health

Monitoring the use of location promotions in retail outlets: a baseline
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Public Health Scotland

Evaluating the impact, effectiveness, and acceptability of statutory controls on alcohol marketing
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Society for the Study of Addiction and Institute of Public Health in Ireland

Examining the Nature of Sponsorship Relations for Professional Football Teams in Countries with Varied Restrictions on Alcohol Marketing: An Open-source Audit
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems

Alcohol Research Network (ACORN) UK/ROI
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council

What is the longer-term response of smokers and ex-smokers to standardised packaging and how does standardised packaging impact on health inequalities? Adult Tobacco Policy Survey Wave 3
PI: Professor Crawford Moodie
Funded by: Department of Health

Transitions to more harmful forms of gambling during Covid-19 pandemic: behaviours and targeted marketing in young people and bettors on sport
PI: Professor Kate Hunt
Funded by: UK Research and Innovation

Adult Smokers' Perceptions of pack inserts with positive messaging: A naturalistic study
PI: Professor Crawford Moodie
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

Analysis of the 2019 Youth Alcohol Policy Survey
PI: Ms Anne Marie MacKintosh
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

Evaluating the Impact of Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland: Observational Study of Small Retailers
PI:
Funded by: NHS Health Scotland

Awareness of alcohol marketing: A pre-implementation cross-sectional survey of adults in the Republic of Ireland
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Institute of Public Health in Ireland

Exploring Alcohol Sponsorship of Professional Sport in Scotland and the Frequency and Nature of Marketing Exposure in Televised Broadcasts
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Alcohol Focus Scotland

Improving Flu Vaccination Uptake by Healthcare Workers: a Study of Implementation and Attitudes
PI:
Funded by: Department of Health

Exploring Food Marketing Through Digital Media
PI: Dr Nathan Critchlow
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

Retail Audit to Evaluate Standardised Packaging and its Impact in the UK
PI:
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

360 Selfie: Capturing social, physical and environmental triggers relating to smoking cessation
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

Analysis of Youth Alcohol Policy Survey
PI: Ms Anne Marie MacKintosh
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

The Identifying & Describing Arguments (IDEA) project.
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Cancer Research UK

Keep Scotland Beautiful ‘nudge’ experiment to influence littering behaviour
PI:
Funded by: Keep Scotland Beautiful

Outputs (77)

Outputs

Article

Critchlow N, Moodie C & Gallopel-Morvan K (2024) Restricting the content of alcohol advertising and including text health warnings: A between-group online experiment with a non-probability adult sample in the United Kingdom [Restricting the content of alcohol advertising]. Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.15327


Editorial

Critchlow N, Holmes J & Fitzgerald N (2024) Alibi marketing? Surrogate marketing? Brand sharing? What is the correct terminology to discuss marketing for alcohol-free and low-alcohol products which share branding with regular strength alcohol products?. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16504


Commentary

Critchlow N (2024) Commentary on Manthey et al.: No more missed opportunities—We need to address the absence of robust and comprehensive evaluations about the real-world impact of statutory restrictions on alcohol marketing. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16471


Article

Critchlow N & Purves R (2023) Alcohol branding during rugby union matches in Ireland after commencement of Sect. 15 from the Public Health (Alcohol) Act: a frequency analysis of highlights from the European Rugby Champions Cup and Six Nations Championship. Irish Journal of Medical Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03331-8


Article

Critchlow N, Moodie C, MacKintosh AM, Gallopel-Morvan K, Stead M & Fitzgerald N (2022) Have restrictions on alcohol advertising in Ireland affected awareness among adults? A comparative observational study using non-probability repeat cross-sectional surveys. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.22-00099


Article

Critchlow N, Hunt K, Wardle H & Stead M (2022) Expenditure on paid-for gambling advertising during the national COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’: An observational study of media monitoring data from the United Kingdom [Gambling advertising spend during COVID-19]. Journal of Gambling Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10153-3


Research Report

Carters-White L, Purves R, Gadsby E, Howell R, Gallopel-Morvan K, Fitzgerald N, Stead M & Critchlow N (2022) Alcohol Marketing Restrictions: Learning from International Implementation. Alcohol Focus Scotland. https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/resources/alcohol-marketing-restrictions-learning-from-international-implementation.pdf


Article

Peddireddy S, Boniface S, Critchlow N, Newberry Le Vay J, Severi K & Vohra J (2022) Factors Associated with Adolescents' Support for Product Information and Health Messaging on Alcohol Packaging: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Kingdom. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 57 (3), pp. 364-371. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agab080


Article

Moodie C, Best C, Lund I, Scheffels J, Critchlow N, Stead M, McNeill A, Hitchman S & Mackintosh AM (2021) The response of smokers to health warnings on packs in the United Kingdom and Norway following the introduction of standardized packaging. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 23 (9), pp. 1551-1558. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntab027


Research Report

Purves RI & Critchlow N (2021) Alcohol marketing during the 2020 Six Nations Championship. Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI). Edinburgh. https://shaap.org.uk/downloads/reports-and-briefings/364-alcohol-marketing-2021.html


Article

Birch JM, Critchlow N, Calman L, Petty R, Rosenberg G, Rumgay H & Vohra J (2021) The Frequency and Content of Discussions About Alcohol Use in Primary Care and Application of the Chief Medical Officer's Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines: A Cross-Sectional Survey of General Practitioners and Practice Nurses in the UK. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 56 (4), pp. 433-442. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agaa120


Article

Wardle H, Donnachie C, Critchlow N, Brown A, Bunn C, Dobbie F, Gray C, Mitchell D, Purves R, Reith G, Stead M & Hunt K (2021) The impact of the initial Covid-19 lockdown upon regular sports bettors in Britain: findings from a cross-sectional online study. Addictive Behaviors, 118, Art. No.: 106876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106876


Article

Moodie C, Best C, Critchlow N, Stead M, McNeill A & Hitchman S (2021) The impact of including cessation resource information on health warnings on standardized tobacco packaging on awareness and use: A longitudinal online survey in the United Kingdom. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 23 (6), pp. 1068-1073. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa251


Article

Mitchell D, Moodie C, Ford A, MacKintosh AM, Critchlow N & Bauld L (2021) Youth perceptions of brand variant names on standardised cigarette packs, and responses to replacing these with numbers: A focus group study in Britain [Numbered packs for tobacco]. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2021.1902479


Article

Boniface S, Critchlow N, Severi K, MacKintosh AM, Hooper L, Thomas C & Vohra J (2021) Underage Adolescents' Reactions to Adverts for Beer and Spirit Brands and Associations with Higher Risk Drinking and Susceptibility to Drink: A Cross-Sectional Study in the UK. Alcohol and Alcoholism. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agab018


Addendum

Critchlow N, Newberry Le Vay J, MacKintosh AM, Hooper L, Thomas C & Vohra J (2021) Correction: Critchlow, N., et al. Adolescents' Reactions to Adverts for Fast-Food and Confectionery Brands That Are High in Fat, Salt, and/or Sugar (HFSS), and Possible Implications for Future Research and Regulation: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey of 11-19 Year Olds in the United Kingdom. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1689. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (6), Art. No.: 3181. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063181


Article

Critchlow N, Moodie C, Best C & Stead M (2021) Anticipated responses to a hypothetical minimum price for cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco: An online cross-sectional survey with cigarette smokers and ex-smokers in the UK. BMJ Open, 11 (3), Art. No.: e042724. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042724


Policy Document

Wardle H, Critchlow N, Donnachie C, Brown A & Hunt K (2021) Betting and Gambling Covid-19 Impact study. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/


Article

Critchlow N, Rosenberg G, Rumgay H, Petty R & Vohra J (2020) Weight assessment and the provision of weight management advice in primary care: a cross-sectional survey of self-reported practice among general practitioners and practice nurses in the United Kingdom [Weight management assessment and advice in primary care]. BMC Family Practice, 21, Art. No.: 111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01184-z


Article

Mitchell D, Critchlow N, Moodie C & Bauld L (2020) Reactions to standardized cigarette packs with varying structural designs, and the association with smoking susceptibility: A postimplementation cross-sectional survey with never-smoking adolescents in Scotland. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 22 (11), pp. 2041-2050. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa109


Article

Hunt K, Critchlow N, Brown A, Bunn C, Dobbie F, Donnachie C, Gray C, Purves R, Reith G, Stead M, Mitchell D & Wardle H (2020) Protocol for a mixed-method investigation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and gambling practices, experiences and marketing in the UK: the "Betting and gaming Covid-19 impact study". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (22), Art. No.: 8449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228449


Article

Critchlow N, Bauld L, Thomas C, Hooper L & Vohra J (2020) Awareness of marketing for high fat, salt or sugar foods, and the association with higher weekly consumption among adolescents: a rejoinder to the UK government's consultations on marketing regulation. Public Health Nutrition, 23 (14), pp. 2637-2646. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020000075


Article

Critchlow N, Jones D, Moodie C, MacKintosh AM, Fitzgerald N, Hooper L, Thomas C & Vohra J (2020) Awareness of product-related information, health messages and warnings on alcohol packaging among adolescents: A cross-sectional survey in the United Kingdom. Journal Of Public Health, 42 (3), pp. e223-e230. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz080


Article

Critchlow N, Moodie C, Stead M, Morgan A, Newall PW & Dobbie F (2020) Visibility of age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and terms and conditions: A content analysis of paid-for gambling advertising in the United Kingdom [Consumer protection information in gambling advertising]. Public Health, 184, pp. 79-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.04.004


Article

Wardle H, Banks J, Bebbington P, Blank L, Bowden Jones OBE H, Bramley S, Bunn C, Casey E, Cassidy R, Chamberlain SR, Close J, Critchlow N, Dobbie F, Hunt K & Purves R (2020) Open letter from UK based academic scientists to the secretaries of state for digital, culture, media and sport and for health and social care regarding the need for independent funding for the prevention and treatment of gambling harms. BMJ, 370, Art. No.: m2613. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2613


Research Report

Stead M, Critchlow N, Eadie D, Fitzgerald N, Angus K, Purves R, McKell J, Marie MacKintosh A, Mitchell H, Sumpter C & Angus C (2020) Evaluating the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing in Scotland: Observational study of small retailers. NHS Health Scotland/Public Health Scotland. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/media/stirling/services/faculties/sport-and-health-sciences/research/documents/MUP-evaluation-Small-Convenience-Stores-report.pdf


Article

Critchlow N, Newberry Le Vay J, MacKintosh AM, Hooper L, Thomas C & Vohra J (2020) Adolescents' reactions to adverts for fast-food and confectionery brands that are high in fat, salt, and/or sugar (HFSS), and possible implications for future research and regulation: Findings from a cross-sectional survey of 11-19 year olds in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (5), Art. No.: 1689. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051689


Article

Critchlow N, MacKintosh AM, Thomas C, Hooper L & Vohra J (2019) Participation with alcohol marketing and user-created promotion on social media, and the association with higher-risk alcohol consumption and brand identification among adolescents in the UK [Social media, higher-risk consumption, and brand identification]. Addiction Research and Theory, 27 (6), pp. 515-526. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2019.1567715


Article

Maani Hessari N, Bertscher A, Critchlow N, Fitzgerarld N, Knai C, Stead M & Petticrew M (2019) Recruiting the "Heavy-Using Loyalists of Tomorrow": An Analysis of the Aims, Effects and Mechanisms of Alcohol Advertising, Based on Advertising Industry Evaluations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (21), Art. No.: 4092. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214092


Conference Paper (published)

Newberry Le Vay J, Critchlow N & Vohra J (2019) "It's got adverts… Always, always there": Change over time in the impact of junk food marketing on children and young people's dietary behaviours [YOPS Poster]. In: UK Congress on Obesity 2019. Obesity Abstracts, Volume 1. UK Congress on Obesity 2019, Leeds, 12.09.2019-13.09.2019. Bristol: BioScientifica, p. P50. https://doi.org/10.1530/obabs.01.P50


Article

Mitchell D, Moodie C, Critchlow N & Bauld L (2019) Adolescents' perceptions of standardised cigarette packaging design and brand variant name post-implementation: A focus group study in Scotland [Adolescents' reactions to standardized packaging]. BMC Public Health, 19, Art. No.: 1227. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7552-0


Research Report

Critchlow N, Angus K, Stead M, Saw E, Newberry Le Vay J, Clarke M, Whiteside E, Froguel A & Vohra J (2019) Lessons From The Digital Frontline: Evidence to support the implementation of better regulation of digital marketing for foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar [HFSS Digital Regulation Report]. Cancer Research UK. London: Cancer Research UK. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30001.43366


Article

Critchlow N, Stead M, Moodie C, Angus K, Eadie D & MacKintosh AM (2019) Difference between Recommended Retail Price and Sales Price for tobacco products in independent and convenience (small) retailers before and after the introduction of standardised tobacco packaging in the UK [Standardised packaging and RRP]. Tobacco Control, 28 (4), pp. 449-456. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2018-054409


Project Report

Critchlow N, Angus K, Stead M, Newberry La Vey J, Whiteside E, Clarke M, Hudson B & Vohra J (2019) Digital Feast: Navigating a digital marketing mix, and the impact on children and young people’s dietary attitudes and behaviours [Digital Feast: Narrative review]. Cancer Research UK. London, UK: Cancer Research UK. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30091.54563


Article

Critchlow N, MacKintosh AM, Thomas C, Hooper L & Vohra J (2019) Awareness of alcohol marketing, ownership of alcohol branded merchandise, and the association with alcohol consumption, higher-risk drinking, and drinking susceptibility in adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional survey in the UK [Alcohol marketing and consumption in young people in the UK]. BMJ Open, 9 (3), Art. No.: e025297. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025297


Article

Critchlow N, Stead M, Moodie C, Angus K, Eadie D & MacKintosh AM (2019) Pricing of tobacco products during, and after, the introduction of standardized packaging: An observational study of retail price data from independent and convenience (small) retailers in the United Kingdom [Tobacco pricing and standardised packaging]. Addiction, 114 (3), pp. 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14488


Article

Fitzgerald N, Egan M, de Vocht F, Angus C, Nicholls J, Shortt N, Nichols T, Maani Hessari N, McQuire C, Purves R, Critchlow N, Mohan A, Mahon L, Sumpter C & Bauld L (2018) Exploring the impact of public health teams on alcohol premises licensing in England and Scotland (ExILEnS): procotol for a mixed methods natural experiment evaluation. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18 (1), Art. No.: 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0573-z


Book Chapter

Critchlow N (2017) Health and well-being in the digital society. In: Bonner A (ed.) Social determinants of health: An interdisciplinary approach to social inequality and well-being. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 103-117. https://policypress.co.uk/social-determinants-of-health#book-detail-tabs-stison-block-content-1-0-tab0


Research Report

Stead M, Bauld L, Bogdanovica I, Eadie D, MacKintosh AM, Murray S, Angus K, Critchlow N, Miguel Rey J, Hausemer P, Wilhelm C, Berteletti F, Toma A, Burch J & Lester R (2016) Study: An Assessment of Citizens' Exposure to Tobacco Marketing. European Commission. Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety. Health Programme, No. EAHC/2013/HEALTH/10 No. 2014 62 03. Publications Office of the European Union. https://dx.doi.org/10.2818/7898


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Research themes