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

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 'Control label, Front-of-package health warning' for changing drinking habits?

Research shows that strengthening health messages on alcohol labels can significantly increase attention and engagement, leading to reports of reduced alcohol consumption. This suggests that clear and prominent warning labels can effectively encourage people to drink less. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe for humans to use alcohol warning labels?

Alcohol warning labels are generally safe for humans as they are designed to provide information and raise awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption. They are similar to tobacco safety labels, which have been shown to reduce consumption by increasing awareness and intention to quit. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How does the Front-of-package health warning treatment differ from other alcohol warning label treatments?

The Front-of-package health warning treatment is unique because it draws on successful elements from tobacco safety labels, such as using large graphics and high emotional content, to effectively capture attention and potentially reduce alcohol consumption. This approach is more direct and visually impactful compared to traditional ambiguous messages like 'drink responsibly'. ^{6 7 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

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 front-of-package health warnings or control labels. Participants will bring in their own alcohol to weekly study visits and take home the alcohol to consume as usual. Participants will receive study labels on their alcohol containers per their assigned trial arm.

Research Team

Marissa Hall, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review on the impact of alcohol warning labels. [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Communicating risks to drinkers: testing alcohol labels with a cancer warning and national drinking guidelines in Canada. [2021]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol Health Warning Labels: A Rapid Review with Action Recommendations. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of strengthening alcohol labels on attention, message processing, and perceived effectiveness: A quasi-experimental study in Yukon, Canada. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alcohol consumers' attention to warning labels and brand information on alcohol packaging: Findings from cross-sectional and experimental studies. [2022]

6. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exploratory study of drinkers views of health information and warning labels on alcohol containers. [2019]

7. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Highly deficient alcohol health warning labels in a high-income country with a voluntary system. [2018]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nature and Potential Impact of Alcohol Health Warning Labels: A Scoping Review. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Narrative Review of the Efficacy and Design of Safety Labels on Tobacco Products to Promote the Use of Safety Labels on Alcohol Products in Canada. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Am I a responsible drinker? The impact of message frame and drinker prototypes on perceptions of alcohol product information labels. [2022]

11. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of alcohol packaging as a health communications tool: An online cross-sectional survey and experiment with young adult drinkers in the United Kingdom. [2022]