Maria Roos Dekker1, Alexandra Jones2, Pallab K Maulik3, Simone Pettigrew4. 1. Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, Perth WA 6102 Australia. Electronic address: mariaroos.dekker@gmail.com. 2. The George Institute for Global Health, 1 King St Newtown, Sydney NSW 2042 Australia. Electronic address: ajones@georgeinstitute.org.au. 3. The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India, 311-312, Plot No. 8, Jasola District Centre, New Delhi 110025 India; University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal, India. Electronic address: pmaulik@georgeinstitute.org.in. 4. The George Institute for Global Health, 1 King St Newtown, Sydney NSW 2042 Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: spettigrew@georgeinstitute.org.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public support for greater alcohol controls is a key consideration in governments' decisions to introduce new alcohol-related regulations, policies, and programs. The aim of this study was to asses public support for a range of recommended alcohol control initiatives across seven countries with varying sociocultural profiles. METHODS: Adults (n = 7545; aged 18-91 years) from Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption patterns, and support for 14 alcohol control initiatives. RESULTS: Across the total sample, means for each initiative ranged from 3.49 to 4.09 (on a 5-point agreement scale), indicating generally favourable responses. Stated support levels (i.e., selecting 'Agree' or 'Strongly agree') for specific initiatives in individual countries ranged from 33% to 86%. Across countries, support was higher for initiatives related to product labelling (e.g., clearly visible standard drink quantity information and pregnancy warning labels) and lower for initiatives related to alcohol advertising restrictions (e.g., prohibiting alcohol advertising during televised sporting programs and on road-side billboards). Support levels varied by age, gender, income level, drinking status, and drinking frequency. CONCLUSION: The high levels of support across countries for many of the assessed initiatives indicate that the public would be receptive to more stringent alcohol control policies, especially in relation to product labelling and the dissemination of public education campaigns. Further advocacy work appears to be required to foster higher levels of support for restricting alcohol companies' marketing activities.
BACKGROUND: Public support for greater alcohol controls is a key consideration in governments' decisions to introduce new alcohol-related regulations, policies, and programs. The aim of this study was to asses public support for a range of recommended alcohol control initiatives across seven countries with varying sociocultural profiles. METHODS: Adults (n = 7545; aged 18-91 years) from Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption patterns, and support for 14 alcohol control initiatives. RESULTS: Across the total sample, means for each initiative ranged from 3.49 to 4.09 (on a 5-point agreement scale), indicating generally favourable responses. Stated support levels (i.e., selecting 'Agree' or 'Strongly agree') for specific initiatives in individual countries ranged from 33% to 86%. Across countries, support was higher for initiatives related to product labelling (e.g., clearly visible standard drink quantity information and pregnancy warning labels) and lower for initiatives related to alcohol advertising restrictions (e.g., prohibiting alcohol advertising during televised sporting programs and on road-side billboards). Support levels varied by age, gender, income level, drinking status, and drinking frequency. CONCLUSION: The high levels of support across countries for many of the assessed initiatives indicate that the public would be receptive to more stringent alcohol control policies, especially in relation to product labelling and the dissemination of public education campaigns. Further advocacy work appears to be required to foster higher levels of support for restricting alcohol companies' marketing activities.
Authors: Jacqueline Bowden; Nathan J Harrison; Joanna Caruso; Robin Room; Simone Pettigrew; Ian Olver; Caroline Miller Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-09-19 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Lukas Galkus; Shannon Lange; Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov; Laura Miščikienė; Janina Petkevičienė; Jürgen Rehm; Mindaugas Štelemėkas; Alexander Tran; Justina Vaitkevičiūtė Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-29 Impact factor: 4.614