NHS Health Scotland
 
Outcome Indicators

 

q. Evidence for unit and warning labelling (including pregnancy advice).

There is evidence for effectiveness of:

  1. Warning labels on alcohol raising knowledge, awareness, intentions and perceptions of specific health messages, but having little sustained effect on changing drinking behaviour

Scottish policy note


The recent alcohol policy framework; ‘Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action’ (2009) outlines support for improved alcohol product labelling and a desirability to introduce mandatory product labelling in line with the voluntary agreement on labelling currently operating across the UK. It also considers that labelling and product information requirements should apply to the sales of drinks in the on-trade as well as the off-trade, i.e. information should be provided on wine and drinks lists as well as on individual containers. The framework states that the preferred option is to implement one system of product labelling and information across the UK.

 

References:

 

Babor, T. Caetano, R. Casswell, S. Edwards, G. Giesbrecht, N. Graham, K. et al. (2010) Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity. Research and Public Policy. 2nd Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Ludbrook, A.  (2004) Effective and cost-effective measures to reduce alcohol misuse in Scotland. An Update. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive

World Health Organisation (WHO,2009) Evidence for the effectiveness and cost–effectiveness of interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. World Health Organisation: Europe