Knowledge of alcohol-related health risks and public perception of alcohol policy in Belgium in 2025

Background

Given that alcohol use is linked to more than 200 physical and mental health conditions, evidence-based policies are needed, especially as alcohol consumption remains normative in many countries. Consequently, we assessed whether knowledge of these alcohol-related health risks predicts people’s attitudes towards alcohol policy in Flanders, Belgium.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Prevention Barometer 2025, using probability-based sampling, were used (n = 3856). Participants aged 18 years and older reported on their knowledge of the alcohol-related health risks of psychological symptoms and cancer. They also reported on their attitude towards three alcohol-related policy statements: raising the minimum age for all types of alcohol to 18 years, prohibiting alcohol advertising, and stating the nutritional value of alcohol on the label. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between knowledge of alcohol-related health risks and public perception towards alcohol policy.

Results

Weighted results show that 47% of the population answered the questions on psychological symptoms and cancer risk correctly. 83% (strongly) agreed with raising the minimum age for all types of alcohol to 18 years, 71% (strongly) agreed with the proposal to ban alcohol advertising, and 76% (strongly) agreed with stating the nutritional value of alcohol on the label. After adjusting for age, sex, and education level, correct knowledge of alcohol-related health risks was positively associated with being in favour of all three policy statements (raise minimum age: OR (95% CI) = 1.42 (1.14;1.77), p = .002; prohibit advertising: OR (95% CI) = 2.03 (1.69;2.42), p < .001; state nutritional value OR (95% CI) = 1.56 (1.30;1.86), p < .001).

Conclusions

Enhancing public knowledge on alcohol-related health risks may contribute to increased support for preventive alcohol policy.

Key messages

• Less than half of the Flemish population has correct knowledge of the effects of alcohol on psychological symptoms and cancer risk.

• Correct knowledge of alcohol-related health risks can strengthen support for evidence-based policies, potentially driving a shift in social norms regarding alcohol.