Although the United States requires warning labels on alcoholic beverages, the number of alcohol-related deaths has steadily increased over the past two decades. But new labels warning of the risk of certain diseases, including cancer and liver disease, could increase motivation to drink less, researchers say. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research.
The warning labels currently required on alcohol containers in the United States have remained unchanged since their introduction in 1988, despite new evidence linking alcohol to several illnesses. Labels list the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and while driving or operating machinery, and generally warn that drinking alcohol “may cause health problems.” Labels often go unnoticed and memorable by consumers.
We wanted to test whether new warnings could better inform consumers about the harms of alcohol and further encourage them to consider drinking less. ”
Anna H. Grammon, Ph.D., MSPH, lead author, assistant professor of medicine, Stanford University
The study was conducted as part of a larger project co-led by Dr. Marissa G. Hall, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina.
The study recruited a nationally representative sample of 1,036 adults of legal drinking age (21 years and older) who reported drinking at least once a week to compare the effectiveness of warning labels with different wording and designs.
Participants viewed 10 messages (1 control, 8 new warning labels, and the current US warning label) in random order. They then rated whether each message encouraged them to drink less, reminded them of the harms of alcohol, or informed them of something new.
“Each participant rated multiple alerts covering a variety of health hazards, including cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure and dementia, so we were able to directly compare them,” Grammont says.
All of the new alcohol warnings in the study outperformed current U.S. warning labels, but those that emphasized cancer risk were particularly effective. The findings are noteworthy as policymakers in the United States and abroad debate whether to adopt cancer warnings on alcohol products.
“For example, Ireland will require cancer warnings on alcohol containers in the next few years, and Alaska already requires bars, restaurants, and liquor stores that sell alcohol to post cancer warnings,” Grammont said. “Our findings suggest that these policies may help people understand the risks of drinking and reduce their drinking.”
Study participants also rated the effectiveness of warning icon and label designs. Triangles and octagons were perceived as more effective and attention-grabbing than other icons, such as a magnifying glass.
Further research is underway. Grammon and Hall are currently conducting a randomized trial to test whether the new alcohol warnings effectively reduce people’s drinking. The study will also measure whether warnings improve knowledge about alcohol-related harms over time.
“We know from our experience in tobacco control that well-designed warnings can inform consumers and encourage them to make healthier choices,” Grammont says. “Given the rise in alcohol-related deaths, we hope policymakers will consider whether alcohol warnings should be updated as part of a broader strategy to address alcohol-related harm.”
sauce:
Alcohol and Drug Research Journal
Reference magazines:
Grammont, oh others. (2026). The new alcohol warnings outperform the current warnings in the United States, according to a national survey experiment. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.25-00226. https://www.jsad.com/doi/10.15288/jsad.25-00226
