Zero‑alcohol drinks are rising in popularity. What do young people think about them?

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Over the past decade, zero-alcohol drinks have gone from a relatively niche product to a staple in supermarket aisles, liquor stores and pubs. Their rising appeal in New Zealand and around the world isn't difficult to understand.

Consumers can enjoy the closest thing to beer or wine without alcohol, so they don't need to worry about taxi fares or hangovers. But how do young people view these products? Might they offer an alternative for teenagers as they begin navigating social situations where their peers are drinking?

Or, more concerningly, could products designed to look, taste and feel like alcoholic drinks simply reinforce long-standing problems with New Zealand's drinking culture? Our recently published research suggests these booze-free options can indeed fulfill some of the social and symbolic roles young people associate with drinking. But there are important limits to what they can replace.

The health harms of alcohol are well established—and they rarely stop with the drinker, extending outward to affect partners, families and entire communities. Globally, this harm contributes to an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year and is linked to more than 200 diseases, injuries and other health conditions. In New Zealand, its economic toll—through lost productivity, road crashes, health care and other impacts—has been calculated at more than NZ$9 billion a year.

The risks of drinking from a young age are also known. Around half of young New Zealanders drink alcohol, with 6.3% drinking at hazardous levels. This early exposure can increase the risk of harmful drinking and dependence later in life.

But it's also important to remember that young people drink for many reasons other than just getting drunk. It can be part of bonding with others, fitting in or expressing identity. They may drink to celebrate, to feel better or to regulate emotions.