Hall MG, Lee CJY, Jernigan DH, Ruggles P, Cox M, Whitesell C, Grummon AH. The impact of "pinkwashed" alcohol advertisements on attitudes and beliefs: A randomized experiment with US adults.
Addict Behav 2024;
152:107960. [PMID:
38309239 PMCID:
PMC10923020 DOI:
10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107960]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of alcohol advertisements related to breast cancer awareness or charities (i.e., pinkwashed ads) on attitudes and beliefs.
METHODS
In 2023, an online experiment randomized 602 US adults to view three pinkwashed ads for beer, wine, and liquor, or three standard ads for the same products.
RESULTS
Breast cancer risk perceptions (average differential effect [ADE] = 0.03; p = 0.58)) and intentions to purchase the advertised product (ADE = -0.01, p = 0.95) did not differ by ad type. When informed about the link between alcohol and breast cancer, participants who viewed pinkwashed ads reported the ads were more misleading (ADE = 0.51, p < 0.001) and had stronger support for requiring alcohol breast cancer warnings (ADE = 0.23, p < 0.001). The pinkwashed ads for beer (but not for wine or liquor) led to greater: perceived product healthfulness (ADE = 0.16, p = 0.03), perceived social responsibility of the company (ADE = 0.18, p = 0.02), and favorable brand attitudes (ADE = 0.14, p = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS
Informing the public about pinkwashing increases perceptions of misleadingness and support for alcohol policies.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Exposing the industry practice of pinkwashing could be a promising theme for campaigns to reduce alcohol consumption and increase support for alcohol policies.
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