AI Article Synopsis
- Zero-alcohol beverages (0.0-0.5% alcohol) might help reduce overall alcohol consumption if used as substitutes for traditional alcoholic drinks, but they raise concerns about attracting adolescents to alcohol and increasing exposure to branding.
- A study with 38 parents of teens aged 12-17 revealed that while some parents viewed these beverages as adult options that could promote healthier drinking habits, they believed they were unnecessary for adolescents and could normalize alcohol use.
- Parents expressed mixed feelings about allowing zero-alcohol drinks for their kids, with worries about possible negative consequences, indicating a need for targeted public health messaging about the risks associated with these products.
Article Abstract
Objective: Zero-alcohol beverages containing 0.0-0.5% alcohol by volume may offer public health benefits if individuals use them to substitute for alcohol-containing products, thereby reducing alcohol use. There are, however, concerns that zero-alcohol beverages may encourage adolescents' earlier interest in alcohol and increase exposure to alcohol company branding. As this poses a challenge for parents, we studied parents' views on zero-alcohol beverages and their provision to adolescents.
Methods: We interviewed n=38 parents of 12-17-year-olds and used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret interview data.
Results: Parents considered zero-alcohol beverages to be 'adult beverages' that potentially supported reduced adult drinking but were unnecessary for adolescents. Parents were concerned that adolescent zero-alcohol beverage use could normalise alcohol consumption and be a precursor to alcohol initiation. There was a potential conflict between moderate provision in 'appropriate' contexts, and potential benefits, which were each supported by some parents. Uncertainty on health qualities was also reported.
Conclusions: Parents reported conflicting and cautious views on zero-alcohol beverage provision to adolescents.
Implications For Public Health: As evidence on the impacts of zero-alcohol beverage availability develops, parent-targeted messages highlighting the potential risk of normalisation of alcohol use for young people could be developed, in conjunction with broader policy responses.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100119 | DOI Listing |
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