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Calling time on responsible drinking: a qualitative study of perceptions of information on alcohol product labels

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posted on 2023-06-10, 04:54 authored by Emma Louise Davies, Richard Cooke, Richard De VisserRichard De Visser, Dominic Conroy
Objectives: This study aimed to explore a) how people interpret responsible drinking messages on alcohol product labels, and b) the acceptability of including health information on labels. Design: Qualitative interviews Methods: Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people aged 21 - 63; 18 were classified risky drinkers using AUDIT-C. They were shown three sets of alcohol product labels: one including three responsible drinking messages (drink responsibly), one with three positively worded health messages (drinking less reduces risks), and one with three negatively worded health messages (drinking more increases risks). Health messages included information about cancer, liver and heart disease). Results: Thematic analysis identified three themes: ambiguity about alcohol labelling; identifying oneself as responsible; and acceptability of enhanced product labelling. Participants were critical of responsible drinking messages and wary of conflicting health information in the media. They positioned themselves as responsible, knowledgeable drinkers and distanced themselves from problem drinkers. They did not appear to support the inclusion of health information on labels, however novel information was considered more impactful. Conclusions: Responsible drinking messages were seen by our sample as an alcohol industry ploy. Although health messages about cancer were seen as potentially impactful, the ability of consumers to position themselves as unproblematic drinkers means that they may not see the information on the label as relevant to themselves. Understanding factors that increase the personal relevance of messages is needed, alongside an exploration of a wider range of methods for alcohol health communication.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

British Journal of Health Psychology

ISSN

2044-8287

Publisher

Wiley

Page range

1-18

Department affiliated with

  • Primary Care and Public Health Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-09-29

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-11-02

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-09-29

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