Zero alcohol drinks

In Australia we’re seeing a rise in the popularity of drinks with little or no alcohol content that mimic the flavour, style and packaging of traditional alcoholic drinks.

The growing interest in these products has caught the attention of the media, who are questioning how zero alcohol drinks might fit into ‘sober curious’ and ‘mindful drinking’ trends.¹

Early analysis suggests zero alcohol drinks can be beneficial for people who are looking to cut back their drinking. However, potential benefits need to be balanced with concerns being raised by public health advocates, including that:

• Some adults might be drinking zero alcohol products in addition to their current alcohol consumption, rather than as a substitute.
• Zero alcohol products are being marketed as appropriate in situations where alcohol isn’t appropriate, such as when swimming, driving or operating machinery – which works to normalise use.
• Zero alcohol drinks are also being used to increase awareness and acceptability of alcohol products and brands among young people.
• This increased exposure to zero alcohol products being consumed across an extended range of activities might confuse children who may think alcohol is being drunk more frequently than it is, overall working to further normalise alcohol use.
• Products can be sold as zero-alcohol drinks when they contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Because they can contain small amounts of alcohol, they should also be avoided if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
• Young people who consume zero alcohol drinks might have an increased likelihood of drinking alcohol, and starting to drink it at an earlier age.²