While nonalcoholic drinks may seem harmless, a growing number of experts are calling for restrictions on their sale to minors, citing potential risks. With the sober-curious movement gaining momentum, low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers and mocktails have become increasingly popular among younger adults, and some worry that their appeal may extend to kids and teens. Despite their minimal alcohol content, these drinks are raising red flags due to their potential to introduce minors to the drinking culture.

The Growing Popularity of Nonalcoholic Beverages

The market for nonalcoholic drinks is booming as more people, particularly younger adults, seek alternatives to alcoholic beverages. These products, which contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, include popular options like Budweiser Zero and nonalcoholic Corona beer, often packaged in bottles that look nearly identical to their alcoholic counterparts.

“It’s a way to blend in for a lot of folks who are using these in social settings,” said Dr. Molly Bowdring, an instructor at Stanford Prevention Research Center. However, experts like Bowdring are concerned that these drinks, which mimic the look, taste, and experience of alcohol, may serve as an entry point into drinking for minors.

The Case for Age Restrictions: Evidence from Abroad

Emerging research from countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Australia has raised alarms about the effects of nonalcoholic drinks on youth. In Japan, studies found that 20% to 30% of elementary, middle, and high school students reported drinking nonalcoholic beverages. Additionally, students who drank these beverages were more likely to express interest in consuming alcohol later in life. Similar patterns have been observed in Taiwan and Australia, where teens who drank zero-alcohol beverages were more likely to drink alcohol.

Dr. Leon Booth, a researcher at the George Institute for Global Health in Australia, highlighted the risks, noting that teens are “role-playing” drinking when they consume nonalcoholic beverages. “They are effectively role-playing drinking when they choose a zero-alcohol version of an alcoholic product,” Booth explained. Some teens even reported getting used to the taste of beer through these beverages, suggesting that zero-alcohol drinks could acclimatize young people to alcoholic flavors.

Industry Perspectives and Lack of U.S. Regulation

The Distilled Spirits Council, which represents major alcohol producers, agrees that nonalcoholic drinks made to resemble alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by minors. “Non-alcohol beverages using alcohol branding are made for adult consumption,” said Lisa Hawkins, a spokesperson for the council. While some producers voluntarily print age restrictions on these products, there are no consistent regulations across the U.S.

According to Bowdring, only 12 states have laws limiting the sale of nonalcoholic drinks to minors, and most of these regulations appear to be incidental rather than intentional. “There weren’t specific laws or policies written in for nonalcoholic beverages,” Bowdring noted, suggesting that many states simply included nonalcoholic beverages in broader alcohol definitions.

States like Georgia and Idaho regulate nonalcoholic drinks based on how they’re made rather than their alcohol content. Meanwhile, Florida and Kansas have stricter definitions that prohibit minors from buying any beverage with measurable alcohol content, even if it is considered nonalcoholic by federal standards.

Potential Risks for Minors

Bowdring and other experts argue that while nonalcoholic beverages may help adults cut back on drinking, there is no benefit to minors consuming these products. In fact, there may be potential harm. The visual and sensory similarities to alcoholic beverages could normalize drinking behaviors and encourage underage drinking in the future.

“For minors, there’s no benefit in consuming nonalcoholic drinks, and there is some evidence of potential harm,” Bowdring said, pointing to the growing body of research suggesting a connection between nonalcoholic drinks and future alcohol use. She believes stronger regulations are needed to prevent minors from accessing these beverages.

As the popularity of nonalcoholic drinks continues to rise, so do calls for stricter age-related regulations. Experts argue that the U.S. should follow the example of countries like Australia and Japan, where studies have demonstrated the potential risks of allowing minors to consume nonalcoholic beverages. With little regulation in most states, there’s a growing consensus that more needs to be done to protect young people from the potential harms of these drinks.

Though nonalcoholic drinks may seem harmless, experts are increasingly raising concerns about their potential to influence minors’ drinking habits. As research shows links between nonalcoholic beverage use and interest in alcohol consumption, there is growing pressure on regulators to establish age restrictions on these products. While these drinks may benefit adults seeking to reduce alcohol intake, protecting minors from any potential harm remains a priority.