Marketing

Zero-alcohol drinks make teens think of alcohol – so why are we treating them like soft drinks?

Zero-alcohol drinks are growing in popularity, marketed as a healthy alternative - but do they prompt teens to think of alcohol? New research shows adolescents...

Rainbow-washing or genuine allyship? How alcohol companies target the LGBTQ+ community

Alcohol companies market heavily to LGBTQ+ communities, portraying themselves as allies while profiting from higher alcohol consumption rates among these groups. This blog critiques their...

‘Dark Apps’ uncovered: popular alcohol tracking apps backed by the alcohol industry mislead users

Apps to reduce drinking that are provided by alcohol industry-funded charities have been found to contain misinformation and may even increase drinking. Dr Roy-Highley and...

Alcohol calorie labelling might help change drinking habits

A UCL study found that 46% of UK alcohol consumers might change their drinking habits if calorie labels were introduced, supporting their potential role in...

Alcohol warning labels featuring lived experiences attract greater attention

Do cancer warnings on alcohol work better if they feature graphic imagery or narrative imagery? A new eye-tracking study looked into this.

“Outta sight, outta mind?”. What do the public and professional stakeholders think about alcohol policy?

Dr Dimova looks at the opinions of both public and professional stakeholders regarding policy suggestions to reduce alcohol use and harms. She highlights the importance...

Corona Cero and the Olympics

The zero alcohol version of Corona - Corona Cero - was an official sponsor of the Olympics this year. In a small-scale qualitative study, researchers...

Dragging their heels: the alcohol industry’s response to mandatory pregnancy warning labels

Simone Pettigrew and Bella Sträuli look at how the alcohol industry has dragged its heels in implementing mandatory labelling in Australia.

Mistletoe and Wine: Alcohol advertising at Christmas time

How many supermarket Christmas adverts showed alcohol content in 2022 compared to this year? Have they been reducing such content or not? And how could...

Acceptable, accessible and affordable – but at what cost?

Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health for Gateshead, discusses why it is becoming increasingly important to implement evidence-based policies to reduce alcohol consumption and harm.

There’s no such thing as ‘good quality’ alcohol

Although people often refer to the 'quality' of alcohol, much of the language around this comes straight from industry marketing and branding. So is there...

Keeping up with Alcohol Brand Promotion: How ‘The Kardashians’ use reality TV to promote their alcohol business interests

Every episode in Season 2 of the TV show 'The Kardashians' includes an alcohol reference. 6 episodes include references to specific brands, mainly the brand...

Ireland brings into law the world’s first comprehensive health labelling of alcohol products

Ireland signing into law the world’s first health warnings on alcohol labels is the vanguard of a profound rethink of how society will view alcohol...

Using counter-ads to kick alcohol sponsorship out of sport

How could counter-advertising be used to inform people of the harm of alcohol advertising at sporting events? Dr Helen Dixon's recent study looked to find...

The race is on: the SNP must prioritise public health over industry gains

The next SNP leader must not only uphold Scotland’s reputation as world-leaders in alcohol policy, but also deliver their manifesto commitment to protect children from...

‘It’s everywhere’: Considering the impact of alcohol marketing on people with problematic alcohol use

Dr Amanda Atkinson looks at how alcohol marketing affects women in recovery from alcohol dependency, and the pressure and stigma it can create.

Banning alcohol advertising would give us more choice, not less

The alcohol industry framing the Scottish Government's proposed alcohol advertising ban as unfair - as it supposedly prevents consumers from being informed - is "deceptive...

With evidence on alcohol policies being stronger than ever, now is the time for governments to act

Dr Peter Rice, IAS's new chair, looks at the progress in alcohol policy and research this year, and the effect MUP has had in reducing...

The Two Faces of Christmas

Christmas is a time of festivities, but also for alcohol multinationals to push their product with aggressive marketing. Colin Shevills discusses this and Diageo's partnership...

Think Before You Drink: How can we improve alcohol health warning labels?

What is the problem with current alcohol labelling and how could labels be improved to help reduce harm? A comprehensive look at the research surrounding...