Sociodemographic and alcohol-related correlates of perceived helpfulness of alcohol cancer warning labels and anticipated reductions in alcohol consumption among U.S. adults.

OBJECTIVES

To examine sociodemographic and alcohol-related characteristics associated with perceived helpfulness of alcohol cancer warning labels and anticipated reductions in alcohol consumption.

METHODS

From April-May 2025, U.S. adults aged ≥21 years (N = 1141) completed a survey about alcohol cancer warning labels, alcohol use, and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between sociodemographic and alcohol-related characteristics and both perceived helpfulness and anticipated reductions in alcohol consumption.

RESULTS

Overall, 82.1% perceived alcohol cancer warning labels as helpful and 39.4% anticipated reducing alcohol use. Several sociodemographic and alcohol-related characteristics were associated with perceived helpfulness of alcohol cancer warning labels and anticipated reductions in consumption. Notably, higher odds of perceiving labels as helpful were observed among Non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40, 4.93) and Hispanic/Latino/a (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 5.15) participants and cisgender women (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.05). Prior alcohol quit attempts were associated with anticipated reductions in drinking (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.53).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol cancer warning labels were widely perceived as helpful and many participants anticipated reducing their alcohol consumption. Associations with sociodemographic and alcohol-related characteristics suggest perceptions vary across population groups. Cancer warning labels may represent a promising population-level strategy for reducing alcohol use.