Academic Journal
Regulation of Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol Drinks: Learning From a Comparative Analysis of Eight Countries.
| Title: | Regulation of Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol Drinks: Learning From a Comparative Analysis of Eight Countries. |
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| Authors: | Burton R; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK., Angus K; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK., Morgan A; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK., Howell R; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK., Critchlow N; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK., Kersbergen I; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK., Holmes J; School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK., Bowdring MA; Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA., Miller M; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia., Waleewong O; International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand., Halme A; National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland., Voogt C; Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands., Fitzgerald N; Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. |
| Source: | Drug and alcohol review [Drug Alcohol Rev] 2026 Mar; Vol. 45 (3), pp. e70126. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Comparative Study |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 9015440 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1465-3362 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09595236 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Drug Alcohol Rev Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: |
| MeSH Terms: | Alcoholic Beverages*/legislation & jurisprudence , Alcoholic Beverages*/economics , Alcohol Drinking*/legislation & jurisprudence , Government Regulation*, Taxes/legislation & jurisprudence ; Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence ; Marketing/legislation & jurisprudence ; Product Labeling/legislation & jurisprudence ; Humans ; Australia ; United Kingdom ; Netherlands ; United States ; Thailand ; Germany ; Finland ; Norway |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Governance of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (No/Lo) drinks has the potential to influence their public health impact. However, regulation remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify, summarise and compare formal legal frameworks, non-binding government guidance and recognised self-regulatory frameworks for the labelling, taxation, licensing and condition of sale and marketing of No/Lo drinks across a diverse set of countries. Methods: We conducted a desk-based analysis, supplemented by expert input. Eight case study countries (Australia, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Thailand, the United Kingdom [UK] and the United States of America) were selected for their diversity in geography, alcohol consumption and policy environments. Targeted searches identified documents for determining how No/Lo products were regulated in relation to their labelling, taxation, licensing and conditions of sale and marketing. Data were extracted, tabulated and reviewed for accuracy. Results: Regulatory thresholds (%ABV) that determine when drinks fall under alcohol legislation vary widely both across and within countries and definitions of No/Lo products are uncommon. For example, drinks can be labelled as alcohol-free at ≤ 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) in the UK, but ≤ 1.15% ABV in parts of Australia. Sales of drinks below defined thresholds generally do not require a premises licence. Marketing restrictions were generally shaped by those for standard alcoholic drinks, although new self-regulatory guidance has been developed in Australia, the Netherlands and the UK. Discussion and Conclusions: Governance of No/Lo drinks is fragmented and inconsistent, with definitions and regulatory thresholds varying both across countries and between policy areas within countries. (© 2026 The Author(s). Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.) |
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| Grant Information: | 1K99AA031716 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS; NIHR135310 National Institute for Health and Care Research; K99 AA031716 United States AA NIAAA NIH HHS |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: NoLo; alcohol‐free; low‐strength alcohol; non‐alcoholic; regulation; zero alcohol |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260226 Date Completed: 20260709 Latest Revision: 20260713 |
| Update Code: | 20260713 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12936648 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/dar.70126 |
| PMID: | 41742759 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
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