Background

Alcohol use is a major global health burden. However, effective alcohol policies are often challenging to implement due to public and political resistance. Research shows that where public knowledge of the risks associated with alcohol use (particularly about the risk between alcohol and cancer) support for stronger policy measures increases. A study conducted with respondents in five European Union (EU) countries, including Ireland, examined how knowledge of alcohol-related harms influences policy support and whether this relationship differs by policy type.1

Here, we examine findings from the Irish respondents and how they compare with the four other EU countries.

Methods

The cross-sectional online survey examined EU countries that were specifically selected for their varied drinking patterns, and assessed the level of knowledge of alcohol-related cancer, beliefs about alcohol’s health effects, policy support, and drinking behaviours. Regression modelling tested associations with knowledge and other factors.

Results

Support for alcohol control policies differed across the 15 included measures. Educational and supportive interventions received the strongest public support, and pricing and availability restrictions were the least supported. Greater knowledge of the association between alcohol use and cancer was associated with increased support for both point-of-sale regulations and pricing/availability policies. However, believing alcohol is good for the heart was associated with lower support for several restrictive measures. Women, older adults, and those with higher education were more supportive of policies, while heavier drinkers and those who reported higher frequencies of getting drunk were less supportive.

Findings from Ireland

Figure 1 indicates that respondents in Ireland showed the greatest awareness of the risk of cancer associated with alcohol use (69.9%, compared with 64.9% of the countries combined).

Figure 1: Percentage of respondents who were aware that drinking alcohol can cause cancer

Figure 2: Percentage of respondents who reported believing that one glass of wine per day is good for the heart

Respondents in Ireland were more likely than respondents in the other EU countries in the study to know that one glass of wine per day is not good for your heart (45.0%, compared with 31.9% for the study average) (Figure 2).

Hazardous alcohol use was common among Irish respondents. Only Bulgaria (30.2%) reported greater incidence of drinking seven drinks or more per week, with respondents in Ireland following closely behind (28.7%) (Figure 3). A substantially higher proportion of getting drunk at least weekly (22.7%) was reported by Irish respondents, twice the study sample average (11.7%).

Figure 3: Number of drinks consumed and frequency of getting drunk per week (%)

Discussion

The findings from this study indicate that awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer is associated with greater support for restrictive alcohol-control policies, including pricing, availability, and point-of-sale regulations. These findings replicate similar studies conducted in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).

Irish respondents displayed a greater awareness of the cancer risk associated with alcohol use compared with other countries, and more Irish respondents were aware that drinking a glass of wine is good for your heart is not true. However, Irish respondents reported greater hazardous alcohol use despite this increased awareness.

1    Kokole D, Neufeld M, Olsen A et al. 2026. Support for alcohol policies and its association with knowledge of alcohol-related health consequences: findings from 5 EU countries. Eur. J. Public Health.  https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag008. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/45199/