Alcohol Change UK · 2026
This mixed-methods study examined how alcohol-free and low-alcohol ('no/low') drinks are perceived, used, and shaped within family and social contexts in Great Britain, focusing on adolescents aged 12–17 and young adults aged 16–25. Using a nationally representative survey (the Alcohol Toolkit Study) and in-depth ethnographic interviews with 14 parent–adolescent dyads, the study found that no/low drink use is relatively rare among young people (around 15% monthly use among 16–25-year-olds), with adolescents and parents largely viewing these products as irrelevant to young people. There was no clear evidence of a gateway effect to alcohol consumption, nor convincing evidence of public health benefit; adolescents consuming no/low drinks first did not report significantly earlier alcohol initiation or greater alcohol use, though there was uncertain evidence of a delay in first drunkenness by around six months. Acceptability of adolescent no/low use was highest in family settings and lowest among peers.