How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?

Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol (nolo) drinks have increased substantially over recent years, driven by improved manufacturing techniques and consumer demand for better and healthier alternatives to alcoholic drinks (box 1). 1 Nolo drinks have obvious potential to improve public health, depending on who drinks them, to what extent, and in which contexts.The more people replace alcoholic drinks with nolo alternatives, the more they reduce their risk of alcohol related disease and injury.This is particularly true for heavier drinkers, those in lower socioeconomic groups, and people drinking in high risk circumstances, such as when pregnant, driving, or in adolescence.

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Publication Details

Journal
BMJ
Published
2026-01-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025-086563
Primary Topic
Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?

Nathan Critchlow, Inge Kersbergen, Niamh Fitzgerald, John Holmes
BMJ
Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
article

How should public health respond to rise of alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks?

Nathan Critchlow, Inge Kersbergen, Niamh Fitzgerald, John Holmes
article en

Abstract

Sales of alcohol-free and low alcohol (nolo) drinks have increased substantially over recent years, driven by improved manufacturing techniques and consumer demand for better and healthier alternatives to alcoholic drinks (box 1). 1 Nolo drinks have obvious potential to improve public health, depending on who drinks them, to what extent, and in which contexts.The more people replace alcoholic drinks with nolo alternatives, the more they reduce their risk of alcohol related disease and injury.This is particularly true for heavier drinkers, those in lower socioeconomic groups, and people drinking in high risk circumstances, such as when pregnant, driving, or in adolescence.

BMJVol. 392
University of Stirling (GB), University of Bath (GB), University of Sheffield (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 87%
Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
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