Do alcohol warnings reduce urges to drink?

In an online pilot study of 152 young adult drinkers, we found thatStop those who had been randomized to view alcohol warning adverts reported reduced urges to drink alcohol compared to those randomized to view either alcohol promoting or non-alcohol adverts.

This effect was fully explained by displeasure felt in response to the warning adverts, indicating that media campaigns that can produce negative affect about the health consequences of alcohol use can reduce the desire to drink.

Viewing alcohol warning advertising reduces urges to drink in young adults: an online experiment. Stautz, Marteau, 2016.

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