Warning labels on alcohol packaging could improve knowledge of risks, healthy consumption limits

(COURTESY ERIN HOBIN)

A series of newly published papers shows that labeling alcohol bottles with the harms associated with drinking as well as recommended consumption limits makes people more aware of such information. In one study, researchers found that including labels with warnings about drinking during pregnancy and a possible link to cancer on some alcohol bottles in one Canadian province reduced alcohol sales there by almost 7% compared to before the labels were introduced. In another study that surveyed more than 2,000 participants, people's knowledge about daily drink recommendations increased in areas where alcohol labels contained these guidelines versus areas without such information. In another survey, only 25% of respondents in an 836-person survey were aware of the link between cancer and alcohol consumption, but the majority agreed that alcohol containers should contain warning labels and information on recommended consumption amounts.