KEY MESSAGES
Alcohol warning labels are mandatory in several countries around the world, but when used as a singular FASD prevention strategy, may be unable to catalyze change in alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol warning labels should be used in conjunction with other approaches as part of a comprehensive FASD prevention strategy to better promote behavioural change.
Issue:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a significant public health issue that has resulted in the development of a variety of strategies for prevention, including alcohol warning labels. While some countries, such as the United States, France, and Mexico, have legislated mandatory warning labels on alcohol containers or in alcohol advertising, in other countries, companies have voluntarily included health warning labels on alcohol containers.
The evidence for the efficacy of alcohol warning labels is mixed, with a large proportion of studies suggesting that independent of additional FASD prevention efforts, warning labels are often ineffective in promoting change in alcohol use.
The purpose of this issue paper is to explore the effectiveness of alcohol warning labels as an FASD prevention strategy and to offer ideas to increase the potential use and impact of warning labels.
Click here to download the CanFASD issue paper.