Policy implementation learnings from the introduction of a mandatory alcohol pregnancy warning label

Bibliographic Data

ID22945609
AuthorsSimone Pettigrew (0000-0003-3921-1174, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Tazman Davies (0009-0005-8220-0376, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Asad Yusoff (0009-0009-7640-2501, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Bella Sträuli (0009-0008-2566-6972, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Paula O’Brien (0000-0002-6879-0489, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne , 185 Pelham Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053), Michelle Jongenelis (0000-0002-0717-1692, The University of Melbourne), Tim Stockwell (0000-0002-5696-6803, University of Victoria , 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2), Alexandra Jones (0000-0003-2929-4746, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Julia Stafford (0000-0001-5959-0525, Cancer Council Western Australia , 420 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008), Aimee Brownbill (0000-0002-3368-3907, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education , 10 Rudd Street, Canberra, ACT 2600), Fraser Taylor (0000-0003-3295-0441, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales , Level 8, 55 Botany St, Randwick, NSW 2031), Jacqueline Bowden (0000-0003-1983-8930, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute , Level 4, 10 Health Sciences Building, Bedford Park 5042)
Year2025
Volume40
Issue6
Publication date2025-10-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daaf219
PMID41400970
OpenAlexW4417427814
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited17

Policy makers lack guidance on effective ways to introduce alcohol warnings, making it important to document the experiences of early adopter countries. Aims of this study were to (i) assess uptake of a mandated pregnancy warning label in Australia, (ii) identify the placement of the warning on products (i.e. front, back, side, top, or bottom), and (iii) compare the results for (i) and (ii) between 2023 and 2024 to provide insights into industry willingness to engage with the policy. In-store visits and web-scraping were used to capture product images that were coded for presence and location of the mandatory pregnancy warning (2023: n = 5923; 2024: n = 6666). Four years after the initial introduction of the policy, corresponding to 1 year after the end of the implementation transition period, 22% of assessed products did not display the mandatory pregnancy warning. In both 2023 and 2024, prevalence was lowest in the spirits category and among single unit and imported products. In most instances, warnings were located on the back of products, although a substantial proportion of multi-packs displayed the warning on the underneath panel of the packaging. The Australian experience offers important insights for other jurisdictions introducing health warnings on alcohol products. Clearly specified compliance deadlines and requirements for warning location could overcome the identified implementation issues.

Compliance (psychology) · Early warning system · MEDLINE · Pregnancy · Product (mathematics) · Unit (ring theory) · Warning system · Folate and B Vitamins Research · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Reproductive Health and Contraception