Since July 7, Chilean manufacturers and importers have been required to post warning labels on the packaging of drinks with an alcohol content of ≥0.5 degrees, emphasizing that drinking alcohol is harmful to health. In addition, the labels must also indicate the calorie content per 100 milliliters of the drink.

The regulation is part of Chilean Law 21.363, which seeks to regulate the production, marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages, according to a release on the official website of the O'Higgins University of Chile. Under the new regulations, warning labels have been in use since July 7. The size and color of the labels are clearly defined and must warn of the risks of drinking for high-risk groups such as pregnant women, minors under 18 and drivers.

Experts see this as an important step in reducing alcohol consumption and complementing other existing measures, such as the sale of alcoholic beverages to adults only. It is estimated that between 10% and 13% of the deaths that occur in Chile each year are directly or indirectly related to alcohol consumption. Thus, like tobacco, alcohol is a preventable cause of death and disease.

Camila Gutiérrez, a nutritionist at the University of O'Higgins (UOH) in Chile, said that the warning labels are intended to raise awareness of the risks of alcohol consumption, helping to reduce health risks such as liver disease and deaths from overdrinking, reduce the cost of treating illnesses, and reduce violence and traffic accidents. The new regulations seek to influence consumer decisions and promote responsible consumption behavior through labeling information. "Warning labels can dissuade high-risk groups (pregnant women, minors and drivers) from drinking alcohol, inform people about the health effects of alcohol and help consumers make the right choices." She said.

According to statistics, an average of 36 Chileans die every day from alcohol-related causes, ranging from homicides, suicides and traffic accidents to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis of the liver and cancer. In addition, 50 percent of deaths among males between the ages of 15 and 29 are related to alcohol consumption.

For Gutierrez, raising consumer awareness of moderate alcohol consumption is key to promoting healthy lifestyles. Nutrition education is a practical strategy to gradually reduce alcohol consumption by teaching people to find non-alcoholic alternatives, to say "no" in social situations, and to seek help when necessary.

In addition, public health action plans can provide community support and socio-economic resources for those who wish to be supported in their recovery or who wish to reduce their alcohol consumption, creating an environment that is conducive to changing undesirable behaviors.