WARNING LABEL

WARNING & PRODUCT LABELING

Product-labelling regulation is an important instrument in promoting healthier habits and public institutions are ideally positioned to utilize it. For consumers, the food label is the principal source of information at the point of sale. It is the right of consumers to make informed choices about the products they purchase, and it is the obligation of public institutions to ensure consumers are able to do so. Labels could be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide information and educate consumers to prevent and reduce drug-related harm. This policy option should be seen not as an initiative that will modify behavior overnight, but as a way of bringing gradual change over time.

Labelling provides a unique opportunity for governments to disseminate health promotion messages at the points of sale and consumption. Health information labels are an inexpensive tool that provides direct information on the risks associated with psychoactive substance consumption.

As an option for action, WHO, in the line with European action plan, proposes that measures could be taken to introduce a series of warning or information labels on all alcoholic beverage containers.

There are four message components that may be considered when developing an effective health label, each serving a different purpose: (i) signal word to attract attention; (ii) identification of the problem; (iii) explanation of the consequences if exposed to the problem; and (iv) instructions for avoiding the problem. The visual impact of the label can be enhanced by using large, bold print; high contrast; colour; borders; and pictorial symbols.

There are four message components that may be considered when developing an effective health label, each serving a different purpose:

(i) signal word to attract attention;

(ii) identification of the problem;

(iii) explanation of the consequences if exposed to the problem;

(iv) instructions for avoiding the problem.

The visual impact of the label can be enhanced by using large, bold print; high contrast; colour; borders; and pictorial symbols. Previous research has shown that consumers prefer short front-label claims to lengthy back-label explanations, or a combination of both. Furthermore, studies have reported greater effectiveness for labels using graphics and symbols, adjective labels, and labels with minimal numerical content. Knowledge of the nutritional value and ingredient information of alcoholic beverages is very limited; there is a demand among consumers to receive this kind of information. Surprisingly few studies have analysed consumer interest in nutritional labels on alcoholic beverages. However, the findings bring to light a clear information gap (limited knowledge of the nutritional content of alcoholic drinks) and a strong interest expressed by consumers for nutritional information to be included on labels.

    - Labels should be placed in a standard location on the container.

    - Size of the label should be determined as a minimum percentage of the size of the container.

    - Rotating messages should be used, with sufficient vividness and strength to attract consumers.

    - Text should be clearly separated from other information on the label (for example, placed in boxes with thick borders).

    - Text should be written in the official language(s) of the country in which the product is sold.

    - Text should be clearly separated from other information on the label (for example, placed in boxes with thick borders).

    - Text should be written in the official language(s) of the country in which the product is sold.

    - Images used should be informational in style and taken from ongoing educational campaigns.

    - Providing nutritional information such as energy content allows consumers to monitor their diets better and makes it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

WARNING LABELS

There are four message components that may be considered when developing an effective health label, each serving a different purpose: (i) signal word to attract attention; (ii) identification of the problem; (iii) explanation of the consequences if exposed to the problem; and (iv) instructions for avoiding the problem.

We propose the following type of warning labels for products that contain psychoactive substances:

We propose the following type of warning labels for products that do not contain psychoactive substances:

WANT TO SUPPORT THIS CAMPAIGN?