The debate on zero-alcohol products: Helpful or harmful?
19 Sep 2025
Dr Hester Wilson, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, says many of her patients see real benefits from these products.
“They let people enjoy social occasions without drinking alcohol – and without having to answer awkward questions about why they’re not drinking,” she explains. “Instead of being left with water, soft drink or juice, people can still feel like they’re having an adult drink.”
Benefits for some, risks for others
While these drinks can help some reduce their alcohol intake, they are not suitable for everyone.
“For patients with a history of alcohol dependence, even holding a drink that looks, smells and tastes like beer can be a powerful trigger,” Dr Wilson says.
“This can undo months of progress and send someone back down the path they’ve been trying to escape.”
Concerns about children and brand awareness
Dr Wilson also raises concerns about how these drinks are sold. Increasingly, they are available in supermarkets alongside soft drinks – where children see familiar alcohol brands like Heineken and Carlton.
“When parents bring zero-alcohol products home and drink them at celebrations, they unintentionally create brand awareness for their kids,” she says.
“This could normalise alcohol use from a young age and feed into Australia’s culture of drinking.”
The bigger picture
Alcohol is linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, dementia, weight gain and alcohol dependence. Even though zero-alcohol options may help reduce drinking for some people, Dr Wilson questions whether they need to look and be marketed so much like alcohol.
She suggests restricting their sale to bottle shops as one possible way to reduce risks, especially for people recovering from alcohol dependence who already avoid those environments.
Advice for GPs and communities
Dr Wilson believes GPs play an important role in helping patients weigh up the benefits and risks of zero-alcohol products.
“They definitely have a place in helping communities drink less, but we need to be thoughtful in how we talk about them – with patients, families, and communities,” she says.
Source: RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, Dr Hester Wilson
