Zero Alcohol Drinks Could Be ‘Gateway’ to Alcohol Use for Young People: Cancer Council

Zero alcohol products could be a "trojan horse" for the alcohol industry to get on the map for young people.Motortion Films/Shutterstock

The Australian Cancer Council has raised alarm bells about zero-alcohol drinks following research into their impact on teenagers.

Non-alcoholic drinks, however, can be used by adults aiming to reduce or cut alcohol consumption, separate research reveals.

The latest study, led by the George Institute for Global Health, found that zero alcohol products appealed to 56 percent of Australian teenagers.

More than half of teenagers aged 15 to 17 surveyed for the research found zero alcohol drink packaging attractive. Further, 37 percent of Australian teenagers surveyed had tried zero alcohol products.

The Cancer Council noted some participants in the study identified that zero alcohol products could become a “gateway” to future alcohol use.

The George Institute lead researcher Leon Booth explained zero alcohol products could be a “trojan horse” for the alcohol industry to get on the map for young people.

“Our research shows that zero alcohol products and marketing are likely making young people more familiar with alcohol brands and further normalising alcohol consumption,” he said.

Mr. Booth said it’s clear more needs to be done to protect children and young people from exposure to zero alcohol marketing to prevent future alcohol harm.

“Zero alcohol ads are reaching young people through several avenues, including popular social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok,” he said.

Four in five teenagers recalled seeing zero alcohol products for sale, with 58 percent observing these products at supermarkets.

Further, 76 percent of teenagers had seen advertising for zero alcohol products, with 44 percent seeing it on television.

Call for More Regulation

Julia Stafford, the deputy chair of the Cancer Council nutrition, alcohol, and physical activity committee, called on the federal government to do more to regulate alcohol marketing and pay close attention to zero alcohol products.

She warned zero alcoholic products provided brand exposure to young people at outlets not traditionally associated with alcohol.

“We already know that the more children and young people are exposed to alcohol marketing, the greater the likelihood that they will start to use alcohol earlier, and to drink at risky levels if they already use alcohol. Drinking alcohol at any level can increase the risk of cancer,” she said.

“Alcohol brands claim zero alcohol products are aimed at only adults, however, the study found that young people often nominated their own age group as the one these products would most commonly appeal to.”

Ms. Stafford said there were currently no standards limiting the ways they simulate alcoholic products, nor were there restrictions on marketing and sales.

This means young people are exposed to marketing in highly visible places such as supermarkets.

“This environment creates a public health risk to young Australians,” she said.

The Epoch Times has observed that ID is requested when purchasing non-alcoholic bottles of wine at self-checkouts in supermarket giant Woolworths.

Can They Help Established Drinkers Quit?

Meanwhile, Stanford University researchers investigated the use of non-alcoholic beverages (NABs) among adults with an alcohol use disorder in a study published on Feb. 25.

The study concluded, “Adults who consume alcohol and screen positive for alcohol use disorder report drinking non-alcoholic beverages as a harm reduction strategy.”

“Compared with respondents without Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), those who screened positive for AUD were significantly more likely to consume NABs in an effort to decrease or abstain from drinking alcohol,” it said.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation states early analysis suggests zero alcohol drinks, “can be beneficial for people who are looking to cut back their drinking.”

However, it also acknowledges public concerns about these products being used to increase awareness and acceptance of alcohol brands among young people.

The foundation notes drinks with zero or little alcohol content are gaining popularity in Australia.

A New South Wales (NSW) government study published by Liquor and Gaming NSW found little evidence that increased alcohol-free liquor products are a gateway to alcohol consumption or linked to drinking more alcohol.

“That said, the majority of studies were carried out with consumers and markets in the UK, where, unlike Australia, alcohol is sold in supermarkets. Therefore, caution should be taken when applying these findings to Australian markets.”

The paper examined the association between the availability and consumption of alcohol-free liquor products and alcohol consumption, via analysis of seven peer-reviewed journal articles published in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Study published in June found more than one in four Australians are exceeding recommended alcohol consumption levels.

The Australian government recommends selecting venues where “mocktails” are available as one of multiple strategies to reduce or quit alcohol.

Choosing low-strength alcohol or something non-alcoholic like a mocktail is also recommended at events where alcohol is served.

The health department recommends seeing a doctor if attempting to reduce or quit alcohol.

It is against the alcohol marketing rules to target minors or young people under 25 or encourage heavy or excessive drinking. However, these standards are self-regulated and voluntary.