Alcohol Warning Labels for Drinking Habits

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Disqualifiers: Not living in US

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 3 weeks

720 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how new health warnings on alcohol packaging might change drinking habits. Participants will receive either new warning labels (front-of-package health warning) or regular labels (control label) on their alcohol containers. Suitable participants should drink alcohol at least once a week, primarily from store-bought containers, and be able to attend study visits with their alcohol.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could influence public health policies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these alcohol warning labels are safe for use?

Research has shown that alcohol warning labels are generally well-accepted and safe. Studies have found that these labels can increase awareness of health risks and might influence drinking habits. No reports have indicated negative effects from using these labels on alcohol packaging. Therefore, these warning labels are considered safe for everyone. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how alcohol warning labels can influence drinking habits. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on public service announcements or counseling, this approach uses direct labeling on packages to potentially change behavior right at the point of purchase. The front-of-package health warning is a new method that aims to grab attention more effectively than standard labels by being more prominent and visible. By testing this innovative labeling strategy, researchers hope to discover if it can lead to healthier drinking choices and reduce alcohol consumption more effectively than current practices.

What evidence suggests that this trial's labels could be effective for reducing alcohol consumption?

This trial will compare the impact of different alcohol warning labels on drinking habits. Participants will see either a front-of-package health warning or a control label. Research has shown that health warning labels on alcohol bottles might help reduce consumption. Some studies have found that these labels increase awareness of drinking risks. However, other research suggests that these warnings don't always change drinking habits, as people often ignore them. The design of the labels can also influence effectiveness; more eye-catching designs might attract more attention. Overall, while there is potential, the effectiveness of alcohol warning labels in reducing drinking remains under study. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Marissa Hall, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 21 in the US who drink alcohol at least once a week, mostly from store-bought containers. They must be able to take surveys in English, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and willing to bring their own alcohol to study visits and respond to daily texts for 3 weeks. People with possible alcohol dependence or living with another participant are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to take surveys in English

Not pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant

I am 21 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Not living in US

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive new front-of-package health warnings or control labels on their alcohol containers

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol consumption and understanding of alcohol-related harms

3 weeks

4 surveys (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Control label
• Front-of-package health warning

Trial Overview The study tests if new health warning labels on alcohol bottles affect drinking habits compared to standard labels. Participants will use these labels on their own alcohol during the trial period and report back regularly.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Front-of-package health warning Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control label Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9517222/

Alcohol Health Warning Labels: A Rapid Review with Action ... A rapid review of research on health warning labels located on alcohol containers (AWLs) was conducted.

2. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0276189

Testing the effectiveness of alcohol health warning label formats Health warning labels (HWLs) on alcohol containers may help reduce population-level alcohol consumption. However, few studies have examined the ...

3. ajpmonline.org ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(22)00463-9/abstract

Designing Effective Alcohol Warnings: Consumer ... New warning labels for alcohol could reduce alcohol-related health harms. This study examined consumer responses to alcohol warnings with different designs.

4. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4055-8

Alcohol consumers' attention to warning labels and brand ... Alcohol warning labels have a limited effect on drinking behavior, potentially because people devote minimal attention to them.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469468/

Nature and Potential Impact of Alcohol Health Warning ... There is little available evidence on the effectiveness of health warning labels that would inform consumers about the risks associated with alcohol consumption ...

6. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/59/5/agae053/7735376

qualitative insights into how consumers perceive alcohol ... This study explores perspectives of on-pack alcohol warning labels, and how they might influence alcohol purchase and/or consumption behavior.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S0749379722004639

Designing Effective Alcohol Warnings: Consumer ... Introduction: New warning labels for alcohol could reduce alcohol-related health harms. This study examined consumer responses to alcohol warnings with ...

8. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-16069-w

Warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers: a pilot ... Outcomes. We measured the ability of the health warning labels on four items: 1) thinking about health risks, 2) overall product attractiveness ...

9. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-health-behaviors-3-2025-ac4fa

Alcohol Warning Labels for Drinking Habits This study aims to examine the effects of new front-of-package alcohol warnings on alcohol consumption. Participants will be randomly assigned to either new ...