NoLo drinks and pregnancy: women’s harm perceptions, labeling ambiguity, and guidance needs

Rose, AK ORCID: 0000-0003-3267-7318, Marriott, H and Burton, S ORCID: 0000-0003-3823-3275 (2026) NoLo drinks and pregnancy: women’s harm perceptions, labeling ambiguity, and guidance needs. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. pp. 1-14. ISSN 0968-7637

Preview

Text NoLo drinks and pregnancy women s harm perceptions labeling ambiguity and guidance needs.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background
No- and low-alcohol (NoLo) products are promoted as harm-reduction alternatives to standard alcohol, but their role in pregnancy is unclear. We examined pregnant and recently pregnant women’s perceptions of NoLo-related harm, how perceptions relate to drinking, and women’s information preferences.

Methods
A cross-sectional mixed-methods online survey, completed by 515 UK women, who were currently/recently pregnant. Participants rated harm of standard-strength alcohol, NoLo (0.0–1.2% ABV), and alcohol-free (≤0.05%) drinks, reported drinking during pregnancy, and provided open-text responses about NoLos.

Results
Standard-strength alcohol was perceived as most harmful, followed by NoLo and alcohol-free drinks (p<.001). Women aware of abstinence guidelines and who did not drink during pregnancy rated all alcohol-containing drinks as more harmful. Greater perceived harm of standard (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97–0.99) and NoLo (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.99) drinks was associated with lower odds of pregnancy drinking. Sensitivity analyses indicated these associations were product-specific. Qualitative findings revealed widespread confusion around NoLos, concerns about labeling, and strong preferences for clear, clinician-led guidance.

Conclusions
NoLo products occupy a psychologically ambiguous space in prenatal alcohol decision-making. Women make distinct risk assessments for different beverage types during pregnancy, yet remain uncertain about NoLo products. Clearer regulation, labeling, and evidence-based pregnancy-specific guidance are needed for informed decision-making.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1605 Policy and Administration; Substance Abuse; 4206 Public health; 4407 Policy and administration
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Date of acceptance:	7 July 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	14 July 2026
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2026 13:05
Last Modified:	14 Jul 2026 13:05
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/09687637.2026.2702373
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29007

View Item