Young people are already exposed to alcohol advertising daily, through billboards, on public transports ad on TV, especially during sporting events. Moreover, the exposure is now enhanced because of multiple advertising about zero alcohol drinks both in supermarkets and on television.
In fact, even if the advertised product contain low to no alcohol, it creates more exposure.
Children as young as two can recognise alcohol by the smell or appearance of the bottle, but can’t yet read or understand the significance of a label’s colour. Accordingly, this could mean young people might assume alcohol is being consumed more frequently than it is, and in situations where it’s high risk and/or illegal.
For people under 18 years old, there’s a risk in consuming a drink which looks, smells, and tastes like alcohol. In fact, developing an early habit of drinking a zero-alcohol drink may transition to regularly drinking alcohol later.
The alcohol industry is not “looking after” the health of Australians; they are actively opposing evidence-based public health efforts that threaten their profitability.
To read the full article click here: https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/alcohol/zero-alcohol-drinks/impact-on-children/