Front-of-package alcohol warnings to help adults reduce drinking
Informing alcohol policy: The impact of evidence-based alcohol warnings on consumption
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11121911
Seeing whether clear, rotating pictorial warnings on alcohol containers help adult drinkers cut back on alcohol.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11121911 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
First, researchers will use existing studies and expert input to create and test many warning messages and images with a nationally representative sample of regular drinkers to pick the three most effective warnings. Next, they will run a longer randomized trial with 720 adult regular drinkers who will be randomly assigned to receive those warnings affixed to their alcohol containers or to a control group without warnings. Participants in the warnings group will get the three different warnings in random order over time while all participants complete follow-up surveys to report their drinking. The study will compare changes in alcohol consumption over time between the two groups to see if the warnings lead to reduced drinking.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who regularly consume alcohol and are willing to have warning labels placed on their alcohol containers are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People under 21, anyone who does not drink alcohol, or individuals with severe alcohol dependence seeking clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this label intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, prominent and rotating pictorial warnings on alcohol containers could increase awareness of harms and help some adults drink less.
How similar studies have performed: Tobacco pictorial warnings have shown behavior change in other research, but prior studies of alcohol warnings are limited and have produced mixed results, so this randomized trial addresses a relatively untested area.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HALL, MARISSA — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: HALL, MARISSA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.