Hope, Ann
(2014)
The ebb and flow of attitudes and policies on alcohol in Ireland 2002-2010.
Drug and Alcohol Review,
33,
(3),
pp. 235-241.
DOI: 10.1111/dar.12129.
Introduction and aims: This paper examines the level of public support for alcohol control policies during a period of policy evolution in Ireland.
Design and methods: A comparison of attitudes to alcohol policy at three points in time was undertaken. The first survey took place in 2002 and was repeated in 2006 and 2010 using a national quota sample of 1000 adults with face-to-face interviews. Policy areas examined were drunk-driving, price, availability and promotion.
Results: In 2002, the highest level of public support was for drink-driving countermeasures (84% favoured random breath testing) and measures to restrict alcohol promotions (67% favoured restrictions). Support for stricter measures on price and availability was lower. Trends showed a decline in support for tax increases and for early closing time, whereas support for fewer outlets (off-trade) increased.
Discussion and conclusion: When public concerns (level of support) for stricter alcohol policies were seen to be meet, as occurred with price and hours through increased tax and reversal of opening hours, public concern/support declined. When concerns were not met, as with outlets, support continued to rise most likely influenced by greater number of off-trade outlets and cheaper alcohol. Support for liberal alcohol policies was low and the majority favoured the status quo on price and availability. Public support for policy is one element of the complexity of policymaking along with consensus building across government and management of vested interests, so that the policy outcome is seldom assured. [Drug Alcohol Rev 2014]
Publication Type
Irish-related, Article
Identification #
DOI: 10.1111/dar.12129
Subjects
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
B Substances > Alcohol
A Substance use and dependence > Prevalence > Substance use behaviour > Alcohol consumption
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Economic policy
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Economic aspects of substance use (cost / pricing)
MA-ML Social science, culture and community > Sociocultural aspects of substance use > Societal attitude toward substance use / public opinion
F Concepts in psychology > Attitude > Attitude toward substance use
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Marketing and public relations (advertising) Click here to request a copy of this literature (must be logged in)
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