Reducing the standard serving size of alcoholic beverages prompts reductions in alcohol consumption

Abstract

AimsTo test whether reducing the standard serving size of alcoholic beverages would reduce voluntary alcohol consumption in a laboratory (study 1) and a real‐world drinking environment (study 2). Additionally, we modelled the potential public health benefit of reducing the standard serving size of on‐trade alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom.DesignStudies 1 and 2 were cluster‐randomized experiments. In the additional study, we used the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model to estimate the number of deaths and hospital admissions that would be averted per year in the United Kingdom if a policy that reduces alcohol serving sizes in the on‐trade was introduced.SettingA semi‐naturalistic laboratory (study 1), a bar in Liverpool, UK (study 2).ParticipantsStudents and university staff members (study 1: n = 114, mean age = 24.8 years, 74.6% female), residents from local community (study 2: n = 164, mean age = 34.9 years, 57.3% female).Interventions and comparatorsIn study 1, participants were assigned randomly to receive standard or reduced serving sizes (by 25%) of alcohol during a laboratory drinking session. In study 2, customers at a bar were served alcohol in either standard or reduced serving sizes (by 28.6–33.3%).MeasurementsOutcome measures were units of alcohol consumed within 1 hour (study 1) and up to 3 hours (study 2). Serving size condition was the primary predictor.FindingsIn study 1, a 25% reduction in alcohol serving size led to a 20.7–22.3% reduction in alcohol consumption. In study 2, a 28.6–33.3% reduction in alcohol serving size led to a 32.4–39.6% reduction in alcohol consumption. Modelling results indicated that decreasing the serving size of on‐trade alcoholic beverages by 25% could reduce the number of alcohol‐related hospital admissions and deaths per year in the United Kingdom by 4.4–10.5% and 5.6–13.2%, respectively.ConclusionsReducing the serving size of alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom appears to lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption within a single drinking occasion.

‘Standard THC units’: a proposal to standardize dose across all cannabis products and methods of administration

“…From a public health perspective, it may be considered advantageous to choose a standard THC unit that is lower than the average level of consumption . This could encourage people to consume less THC, as reducing the serving size of an alcoholic drink has been found to lower alcohol consumption both in experimental and real‐world settings . A low dose could also reduce the chances of an excessive and/or unpleasant response to a single THC unit in naive volunteers.…”

The effect of wine glass size on volume of wine sold: a mega‐analysis of studies in bars and restaurants

“…Thirdly, the outcome measure, wine sales, is a proxy for actual consumption, albeit a probably strong predictor of actual consumption in licensed premises. For example, in a recent study [18] less than 1% of wine purchased in a bar setting was left undrunk (personal communication: e-mail from I. Kersbergen PhD in November 2019). Fourthly, data on sales of other alcoholic drinks were not consistently available, so we were unable to determine whether the changes to wine glass size might also be associated with changes to purchasing of other alcoholic drinks.…”

Effect of glass shape on the pouring accuracy of liquid volume

“…Other aspects of glassware seem to alter the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Reducing the size of glassware can lead to reductions in alcohol consumption [ 18 , 19 ] while applying health warnings [ 20 ] and volume markings [ 6 ] can slow the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Other environmental factors such as louder music appears to be associated with increased alcohol consumption [ 21 ] possibly due to raising levels of arousal and/or altering the taste perception of alcohol to be perceived as more sweet [ 22 ] which routinely results in increased alcohol consumption [ 23 ].…”