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AbstractThere are inherent differences in the priorities of academics and policy-makers. These pose unique challenges for teams such as the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), which has positioned itself as an organisation conducting academically rigorous behavioural science research in policy settings. Here we outline the threats to research transparency and reproducibility that stem from working with policy-makers and other non-academic stakeholders. These threats affect how we perform, communicate, verify and evaluate research. Solutions that increase research transparency include pre-registering study protocols, making data open and publishing summaries of results. We suggest an incentive structure (a simple 'nudge') that rewards BIT's non-academic partners for engaging in these practices.

El actual etiquetado de bebidas alcohólicas pasa desapercibido por los consumidores. Además, la legislación europea exime a la industria de bebidas alcohólicas de incluir advertencias sanitarias en sus envases. Este estudio pretende explorar cómo el tamaño, el diseño y el contenido alcohólico de las bebidas influyen en la atención visual prestada al etiquetado de la graduación alcohólica; y cómo el tamaño y el contenido alcohólico influyen en la atención visual prestada hacia una advertencia sanitaria. Usando un diseño experimental, se monitorizaron los movimientos oculares de 64 participantes mientras visualizaban envases de cerveza con diferente graduación (0,4%, 4,6% vs. 15%). Se midió el número de fijaciones hacia el etiquetado de la graduación alcohólica, manipulando su tamaño y el diseño como factores inter-sujetos. En los envases presentados a la mitad de los participantes se incluyó una advertencia sanitaria, manipulando su tamaño como factor inter-sujeto. Los resultados muestran claras evidencias estadísticas de que el número de fijaciones es superior cuando la graduación alcohólica se muestra con un mayor tamaño y mediante un semáforo nutricional. Asimismo, los resultados relevan un mayor número de fijaciones hacia la advertencia sanitaria cuando esta tiene un tamaño mayor y obtiene diferentes niveles de atención visual dependiendo de la graduación alcohólica del envase. En conclusión, el estudio pone de manifiesto que el actual etiquetado de los envases de bebidas alcohólicas es insuficiente para captar la atención de los consumidores y sugiere que, si se persigue lograr un incremento de la atención prestada, el etiquetado debe mostrarse con un mayor tamaño y con un diseño gráfico. ; Current alcohol labelling goes unnoticed by consumers. In addition, EU legislation does not obligate the alcohol industry to include any health warning labels on alcohol packagings. This study aims to explore how the size and design of alcohol by volume (ABV) labels, along with the alcohol strength presented on these labels, influence visual attention toward them. We also examine how label size and alcohol strength influence visual attention toward a health warning label on alcoholic beverages. Using an experimental human laboratory design, we tracked the eye-movements of 64 participants while they viewed beers with different ABV (0.4%, 4.6% vs. 15%). We measured the number of fixations toward ABV labelling which varied in size and design (text-only vs. traffic light). A health warning label was also included on the beers for half of the participants and size was manipulated as a between-subject factor. Results showed strong evidence that the number of fixations was higher when the ABV labels were larger and used a traffic light system. Likewise, we found a higher number of fixations toward larger health warning labels and differences in visual attention depending on the ABV content presented. In conclusion, this study indicates that current alcohol labelling is insufficient to draw the attention of consumers and suggests that future alcohol labelling must be larger and with a graphic design to attract attention.

Current alcohol labelling goes unnoticed by consumers. In addition, EU legislation does not obligate the alcohol industry to include any health warning labels on alcohol packagings. This study aims to explore how the size and design of alcohol by volume (ABV) labels, along with the alcohol strength presented on these labels, influence visual attention toward them. We also examine how label size and alcohol strength influence visual attention toward a health warning label on alcoholic beverages. Using an experimental human laboratory design, we tracked the eye-movements of 64 participants while they viewed beers with different ABV (0.4%, 4.6% vs. 15%). We measured the number of fixations toward ABV labelling which varied in size and design (text-only vs. traffic light). A health warning label was also included on the beers for half of the participants and size was manipulated as a between-subject factor. Results showed strong evidence that the number of fixations was higher when the ABV labels were larger and used a traffic light system. Likewise, we found a higher number of fixations toward larger health warning labels and differences in visual attention depending on the ABV content presented. In conclusion, this study indicates that current alcohol labelling is insufficient to draw the attention of consumers and suggests that future alcohol labelling must be larger and with a graphic design to attract attention.

AbstractThis randomised online experiment aimed to investigate how eco-labelling and social nudging influenced sustainable food choice, as well as consider the effect of motivation to act sustainably. Participants were UK adults ≥18 years (n= 1399). Participants were asked to choose a hypothetical meal (beef, chicken or vegetarian burrito) and were randomly allocated to one of three conditions varying in labelling: eco-labelling; social nudge or control (no label). Co-primary outcomes were the frequency that the vegetarian and chicken burritos were chosen (i.e., the more sustainable food choices). There was evidence that more vegetarian (OR = 3.3 [95% CI 2.0, 5.3]) and chicken (OR = 2.5 [95% CI 1.8, 3.4]) burrito choices were made in the eco-label condition, over the beef burrito, compared to the control condition. In the social nudge condition, there was evidence that participants chose a vegetarian burrito over a beef burrito (OR = 1.7 [95% CI 1.1, 2.7]), but not a vegetarian burrito over a chicken burrito (OR = 1.4 [95% CI 0.9, 2.2]). Although both labels were effective at promoting participants to make more sustainable food choices, the eco-label was the most effective. Choice of burrito was modified by motivation to act sustainably across all conditions. This study suggests that future policy could include eco-labelling and/or a social nudge to reduce meat consumption and meet global climate change targets.

Abstract
Existing regulation in the UK states that the term 'milk' can only be used in labelling to describe products that originate from animals. We conducted an observational study, which surveyed the availability and labelling of milk substitutes in UK supermarkets, and an online experimental study, which assessed the impact of using the term 'milk' on milk substitute labelling. In the experimental study, 352 UK adults were randomised to one of the two conditions where they saw milk substitutes that were either labelled with UK regulations (e.g., soya drink) or using the term 'milk' (e.g., soya milk). Our primary aims were to assess whether adding the term 'milk' to labels would (1) more accurately communicate the uses of milk substitutes or (2) confuse consumers about which products come from an animal source. In our observational study, milk substitutes were readily available and labelling varied significantly. In our experimental study, labelling products with the term 'milk' increased understanding of the product's use. However, participants who saw the term 'milk' on milk substitute labelling misidentified more milk substitutes as coming from an animal source. Future policy should consider the clarification of such labelling.

INTRODUCTION: From May 2016, the European Union introduced the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations, which included restrictions to advertising and new safety and labeling standards for e-cigarette products. This represented the first supranational policy regulating e-cigarette sales and marketing. This study explores perceptions of TPD and its implementation in Wales, Scotland and England, from perspectives of stakeholders involved in tobacco and e-cigarette policy and implementation in each nation. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed with 12 stakeholders from government and third sector organizations in the UK involved in tobacco control policy-making processes, and Trading Standards Officers from 13 UK local authorities. Data were analyzed thematically and a sub-sample double-coded. RESULTS: Stakeholders held varying views of e-cigarettes, recognizing potential benefits and harms of both the products and the new policy actions. Nevertheless, most perceived TPD to be a positive step in introducing regulation for e-cigarettes. Compliance was perceived as high across nations, although stakeholders highlighted product adaptations to circumvent restrictions, and absence of controls on non-nicotine products. Budgetary and staffing limitations also meant that capacity to communicate new measures, and enforce change, was limited. This led to a gap occupied by industry representatives, who played a substantial role in preparing retailers for adoption of new measures. CONCLUSIONS: TPD policy roll-out was largely perceived positively and as having been effectively implemented. However, contribution of industry to communication of new measures and absence of resourcing for effective communication perhaps introduced widespread innovations within regulations. While largely viewed positively, some refinements to device regulations were proposed.

INTRODUCTION From May 2016, the European Union introduced the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations, which included restrictions to advertising and new safety and labeling standards for e-cigarette products. This represented the first supranational policy regulating e-cigarette sales and marketing. This study explores perceptions of TPD and its implementation in Wales, Scotland and England, from perspectives of stakeholders involved in tobacco and e-cigarette policy and implementation in each nation. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed with 12 stakeholders from government and third sector organizations in the UK involved in tobacco control policy-making processes, and Trading Standards Officers from 13 UK local authorities. Data were analyzed thematically and a sub-sample double-coded. RESULTS Stakeholders held varying views of e-cigarettes, recognizing potential benefits and harms of both the products and the new policy actions. Nevertheless, most perceived TPD to be a positive step in introducing regulation for e-cigarettes. Compliance was perceived as high across nations, although stakeholders highlighted product adaptations to circumvent restrictions, and absence of controls on non-nicotine products. Budgetary and staffing limitations also meant that capacity to communicate new measures, and enforce change, was limited. This led to a gap occupied by industry representatives, who played a substantial role in preparingretailers for adoption of new measures. CONCLUSIONS TPD policy roll-out was largely perceived positively and as having been effectively implemented. However, contribution of industry to communication of new measures and absence of resourcing for effective communication perhaps introduced widespread innovations within regulations. While largely viewed positively, some refinements to device regulations were proposed.

Introduction: From May 2016, the European Union introduced the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations, which included restrictions to advertising and new safety and labeling standards for e-cigarette products. This represented the first supranational policy regulating e-cigarette sales and marketing. This study explores perceptions of TPD and its implementation in Wales, Scotland and England, from perspectives of stakeholders involved in tobacco and e-cigarette policy and implementation in each nation. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed with 12 stakeholders from government and third sector organizations in the UK involved in tobacco control policy-making processes, and Trading Standards Officers from 13 UK local authorities. Data were analyzed thematically and a sub-sample double-coded. Results: Stakeholders held varying views of e-cigarettes, recognizing potential benefits and harms of both the products and the new policy actions. Nevertheless, most perceived TPD to be a positive step in introducing regulation for e-cigarettes. Compliance was perceived as high across nations, although stakeholders highlighted product adaptations to circumvent restrictions, and absence of controls on non-nicotine products. Budgetary and staffing limitations also meant that capacity to communicate new measures, and enforce change, was limited. This led to a gap occupied by industry representatives, who played a substantial role in preparing retailers for adoption of new measures. Conclusions: TPD policy roll-out was largely perceived positively and as having been effectively implemented. However, contribution of industry to communication of new measures and absence of resourcing for effective communication perhaps introduced widespread innovations within regulations. While largely viewed positively, some refinements to device regulations were proposed.

Background Young people's experimentation with e-cigarettes has increased in recent years, although regular use remains limited. EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations introduced packet warnings, advertising restrictions, and regulated nicotine strength from 2016, in part due to concerns regarding use by young people. This paper examines e-cigarette use trajectories before and after TPD. Methods E-cigarette use data were obtained from School Health Research Network/Health Behaviour in School-aged Children surveys in Wales and Smoking Drinking and Drug Use surveys in England. Data from Wales were analysed using segmented logistic regression, with before and after regression analyses of English data. Semi-structured group interviews included young people aged 14-16 years in Wales, England and Scotland in 2017 and 2018. Results In Wales, ever use of e-cigarettes increased over time, but under a range of assumptions, growth did not appear to continue post-TPD. A small and non-significant change in trend was observed post-implementation (OR=0.96; 95%CI=0.91 to 1.01), which increased in size and significance after adjusting for ever smoking (OR=0.93; 95%CI=0.88 to 0.98). There was little increase in regular e-cigarette use from 2015 to 2017 in Wales. However, ever and regular use increased from 2014 to 2016 in England. Young people in all nations described limited interactions with components of TPD, while describing e-cigarette use as a 'fad', which had begun to run its course. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that young people's e-cigarette experimentation may be plateauing in UK nations. The extent to which this arises from regulatory changes, or due to a fad having begun to lose its appeal among young people in the UK countries, remains unclear. These trends contrast to those observed in North America, where newer products whose EU market entry and marketing been impacted by TPD, have gained traction among young people. Long-term monitoring of e-cigarette use trends and perceptions among young people remain vital.