Message on a bottle: are alcohol warning labels about cancer appropriate?

Article


Miller, Emma R., Ramsey, Imogen J., Baratiny, Genevieve Y. and Olver, Ian N.. 2016. "Message on a bottle: are alcohol warning labels about cancer appropriate?" BMC Public Health. 16 (139), pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2812-8
Article Title

Message on a bottle: are alcohol warning labels about cancer appropriate?

ERA Journal ID13449
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMiller, Emma R. (Author), Ramsey, Imogen J. (Author), Baratiny, Genevieve Y. (Author) and Olver, Ian N. (Author)
Journal TitleBMC Public Health
Journal Citation16 (139), pp. 1-10
Number of Pages10
Year2016
PublisherBioMed Central Ltd.
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1471-2458
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2812-8
Web Address (URL)http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-2812-8
Abstract

Background

Although most Australians are unaware of the risk, there is strong evidence for a direct link between alcohol consumption and many types of cancer. Warning labels on alcohol products have been proposed as a cost-effective strategy to inform the community of this health risk. We aimed to identify how Australians might respond to such an approach.

Methods

We conducted a national online survey canvassing responses to four separate cancer warning messages on labels. The graphically presented messages were informed by qualitative data from a series of focus groups among self-identified ‘light-to-moderate’ drinkers. For each label, participants were asked their level of agreement with impact statements about raising awareness, prompting conversation, influencing drinking behaviour and educating others about cancer risk. We analysed responses according to demographic and other factors, including self-reported drinking behaviour (using the 3-item Alcohol Use Disorder Test – AUDIT-C – scores).

Results

Approximately 1600 participants completed the survey, which was open to all Australian adults over a period of 1 month in 2014. Overall, the labels were well received, with the majority (>70 %) agreeing all labels could raise awareness and prompt conversations about the cancer risk associated with alcohol. Around 50 % or less agreed that the labels could influence drinking behaviour, but larger proportions agreed that the labels would prompt them to discuss the issue with family and friends. Although sex, AUDIT-C score and age were significantly associated with agreement on bivariate analysis, multivariate analyses demonstrated that being inclined to act upon warning label recommendations in general was the most important predictor of agreement with all of the impact statements. Having a low AUDIT-C score also predicted agreement that the labels might prompt behaviour change in friends.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that providing detailed warnings about cancer risk on alcohol products is a viable means of increasing public awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. Further research is needed to explore the ability of such warnings to influence behavioural intentions and actual drinking behaviour.

Keywords alcohol; cancer prevention; warning labels
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420605. Preventative health care
429999. Other health sciences not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsFlinders University
James Cook University
University of South Australia
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Funding source
Australian Research Council (ARC)
Grant ID
LP120200175
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