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Stumbrys D, Tamutienė I, Moskalewicz J, Sieroslawski J. Changes in attitudes toward alcohol control policies in Lithuania: findings from two representative surveys in 2015 and 2020. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:664-674. [PMID: 37603857 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2238322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: A set of evidence-based alcohol control policy measures was adopted in the period 2016-2020 in Lithuania. The present study fills a knowledge gap on how changes in alcohol control policy are associated with attitudes toward different alcohol policy measures.Objective: This study aims to explore whether support for key alcohol control policy measures in Lithuania declined following implementation of alcohol control measures.Methods: Data came from the Standard European Alcohol Survey. Two representative surveys with the same questionnaire, were conducted in Lithuania in 2015 (N = 1513, 51.7% female, response rate was 38.9%) and 2020 (N = 1015, 50.6% female, response rate was 38.0%). Multi-stage stratified probability sampling was applied. Surveys were carried out using computer-assisted face-to-face interviews, descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses was applied. We used a binomial logistic regression analysis and the Pearson chi-square test.Results: There was a significant decline in a proportion of respondents who agreed that the number of alcohol selling places should be kept low (OR: 0.84, p = .032), alcohol prices should be kept high (OR: 0.83, p = .027), and the police should be allowed to randomly check whether the driver is sober (OR: 0.65, p < .001). The proportion of respondents who agree that individuals are responsible enough with their drinking significantly declined (OR: 0.76, p = .003).Conclusion: Support for restrictions on alcohol-selling points, increase in alcohol price, and random alcohol testing of drivers declined following the adoption of new alcohol control policy measures. Our findings might be beneficial for policy-makers planning alcohol control policies and information campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daumantas Stumbrys
- Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ilona Tamutienė
- Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jacek Moskalewicz
- Department of Studies on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Sieroslawski
- Department of Studies on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
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Yu J, Dong D, Sumerlin TS, Goggins WB, Feng Q, Kim JH. Selling World Health Organization's Alcohol “Best Buys” and Other Recommended Interventions in an Urban Chinese Population: Public Acceptability of Alcohol Harms Reduction Strategies in Hong Kong. Front Public Health 2022; 10:855416. [PMID: 35530734 PMCID: PMC9068987 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.855416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To counter the harms caused by alcohol use, the World Health Organization (WHO) outlined a series of evidence-based recommendations, including the highly cost-effective “Best Buys” recommendations. While many Western countries have been actively introducing alcohol harms reduction strategies, it is unclear whether these cost-effective policies would be publicly acceptable in Asian regions with traditionally low alcohol consumption. This study examines the public acceptability of WHO-recommended alcohol harms reduction strategies in an Asian city with few extant alcohol regulations. Methods A cross-sectional telephone survey of Hong Kong Chinese residents aged 18–74 (n = 4,000) was conducted from January to August 2018. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of various WHO-recommended strategies and consequences of their implementation. After reducing the strategies into several policy categories by principal component analysis, multivariable linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with endorsement of the various policies. Results Among the “Best Buys”, introduction of moderate beer/wine taxes (68.7%) and shortened alcohol retail hours (51.9%) were the most supported while bans on event sponsorships (19.5%) and public drinking events (17.7%) were the least popular. Strategies targeting young drinkers were particularly highly supported. Males, younger adults, Non-abstainers, and those who believed in drinking's social benefits were less likely to endorse stringent control measures (p < 0.05). Adults with higher household income were less supportive, partially due to concerns about infringements on local economy, lifestyles, and economic freedom. Women and older people were generally more supportive, partially because they perceived these policies would lower alcohol-related harms. Conclusion In order to reduce barriers to implementing WHO-recommended strategies in the region, it is imperative to increase awareness of alcohol-related harms and to strengthen beliefs in the effectiveness of these countermeasures, especially among men, young adults, and drinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhou Yu
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Timothy S. Sumerlin
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William B. Goggins
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qi Feng
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jean H. Kim
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Jean H. Kim
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Howse E, Cullerton K, Grunseit A, Bohn-Goldbaum E, Bauman A, Freeman B. Measuring public opinion and acceptability of prevention policies: an integrative review and narrative synthesis of methods. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:26. [PMID: 35246170 PMCID: PMC8895540 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00829-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acceptability of and public support for prevention are an important part of facilitating policy implementation. This review aims to identify, summarize and synthesize the methods and study designs used to measure and understand public opinion, community attitudes and acceptability of strategies to prevent chronic noncommunicable disease (NCDs) in order to allow for examination of imbalances in methodological approaches and gaps in content areas. We searched four scientific databases (CINAHL, Embase, Ovid/MEDLINE and Scopus) for peer-reviewed, English-language studies published between January 2011 and March 2020 in high-income, democratic countries across North America, Europe and the Asia–Pacific region. Studies were included if they focused on opinions, attitudes and acceptability of primary prevention strategies and interventions addressing the key NCD risk factors of alcohol use, unhealthy diet, overweight/obesity, tobacco use and smoking, and physical inactivity. A total of 293 studies were included. Two thirds of studies (n = 194, 66%) used quantitative methods such as cross-sectional studies involving surveys of representative (n = 129, 44%) or convenience (n = 42, 14%) samples. A smaller number of studies used qualitative methods (n = 60, 20%) such as focus groups (n = 21, 7%) and interviews (n = 21, 7%). Thirty-nine studies (13%) used mixed methods such as content analysis of news media (n = 17, 6%). Tobacco control remains the dominant topic of public opinion literature about prevention (n = 124, 42%). Few studies looked solely at physical inactivity (n = 17, 6%). The results of this review suggest that public opinion and acceptability of prevention in the peer-reviewed literature is investigated primarily through cross-sectional surveys. Qualitative and mixed methods may provide more nuanced insights which can be used to facilitate policy implementation of more upstream strategies and policies to prevent NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Howse
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Sax Institute, Sydney, Australia. .,Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Katherine Cullerton
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Sax Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anne Grunseit
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Sax Institute, Sydney, Australia.,Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Erika Bohn-Goldbaum
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Sax Institute, Sydney, Australia.,Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Adrian Bauman
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, Sax Institute, Sydney, Australia.,Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Becky Freeman
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Karlsson D, Holmberg S, Weibull L. Solidarity or self-interest? Public opinion in relation to alcohol policies in Sweden. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2020; 37:105-121. [PMID: 32934597 PMCID: PMC7434170 DOI: 10.1177/1455072520904644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The aim of this article is to study how people sometimes accept policies that could in a narrow sense be seen as in conflict with their own self-interest. Design The study is based on survey data relating to public opinion on alcohol policy in Sweden targeted at people aged 16-85 years 2016-2017. Among the 3400 people questioned, the response rate was 52%. Results The results show that people's perception of the problematic societal consequences of alcohol, in combination with ideological norms regarding the responsibility of individuals, is much more important in explaining public opinion than self-interest factors. It is the view that there is a problem at the societal level, rather than at the personal level, that is most essential for explaining opinions on alcohol restrictions. General knowledge of alcohol-related matters has some effect, whereas personal experiences of close affiliates excessive drinking does not seem to color the opinions expressed. Conclusion Support for restrictive alcohol policies in Swedish public opinion is mainly founded on norms of solidarity and astute problem analyses at the societal level, and to a much lesser extent on egoism and personal experiences.
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Weerasinghe A, Schoueri-Mychasiw N, Vallance K, Stockwell T, Hammond D, McGavock J, Greenfield TK, Paradis C, Hobin E. Improving Knowledge that Alcohol Can Cause Cancer is Associated with Consumer Support for Alcohol Policies: Findings from a Real-World Alcohol Labelling Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E398. [PMID: 31936173 PMCID: PMC7014334 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge that alcohol can cause cancer is low in Canada. Alcohol labels are one strategy for communicating alcohol-related harms, including cancer. Extending existing research observing an association between knowledge of the alcohol-cancer link and support for alcohol policies, this study examined whether increases in individual-level knowledge that alcohol is a carcinogen following an alcohol labelling intervention are associated with support for alcohol polices. Cancer warning labels were applied to alcohol containers at the intervention site, and the comparison site did not apply cancer labels. Pre-post surveys were conducted among liquor store patrons at both sites before and two-and six-months after the intervention was stopped due to alcohol industry interference. Limiting the data to participants that completed surveys both before and two-months after the cancer label stopped, logistic regression was used to examine the association between increases in knowledge and support for policies. Support for pricing and availability policies was low overall; however, increases in individual-level knowledge of the alcohol-cancer link was associated with higher levels of support for pricing policies, specifically, setting a minimum unit price per standard drink of alcohol (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11-3.12). Improving knowledge that alcohol can cause cancer using labels may increase support for alcohol policies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/16320.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kate Vallance
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 2Y2, Canada; (K.V.); (T.S.)
| | - Tim Stockwell
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 2Y2, Canada; (K.V.); (T.S.)
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Jonathan McGavock
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada;
| | | | - Catherine Paradis
- Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7, Canada;
| | - Erin Hobin
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON M5G 1V2, Canada; (A.W.); (N.S.-M.)
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Kilian C, Manthey J, Moskalewicz J, Sieroslawski J, Rehm J. How Attitudes toward Alcohol Policies Differ across European Countries: Evidence from the Standardized European Alcohol Survey (SEAS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224461. [PMID: 31766281 PMCID: PMC6888135 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol policy endorsements have changed over time, probably interacting with the implementation and effectiveness of alcohol policy measures. The Standardized European Alcohol Survey (SEAS) evaluated public opinion toward alcohol policies in 20 European locations (19 countries and one subnational region) in 2015 and 2016 (n = 32,641; 18–64 years). On the basis of the SEAS report, we investigated regional differences and individual characteristics related to categories of alcohol policy endorsement. Latent class analysis was used to replicate cluster structure from the SEAS report and to examine individual probabilities of endorsement. Hierarchical quasi-binomial regression models were run to analyze the relative importance of variables of interest (supranational region, gender, age, educational achievement, and drinking status) on class endorsement probability, with random intercepts for each location. The highest support for alcohol control policies was recorded in Northern countries, which was in contrast to the Eastern countries, where the lowest support for control policies was found. Across all locations, positive attitudes toward control policies were associated with the female gender, older age, and abstaining from alcohol. Our findings underline the need to communicate alcohol-related harm and the implications of alcohol control policies to the public in order to increase awareness and support for such policies in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kilian
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany (J.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany (J.R.)
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, UKE Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jacek Moskalewicz
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Janusz Sieroslawski
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (J.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany (J.R.)
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada
- WHO Collaboration Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Alexander Solzhenitsyn Street 28/1, 109004 Moscow, Russian
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Support for evidence-based alcohol policy in Ireland: results from the Community Action on Alcohol Pilot Project. J Public Health Policy 2018; 40:76-90. [PMID: 30382156 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-018-0151-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In Ireland, the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill proposes introducing minimum unit pricing, health labelling, and advertising restrictions to tackle excessive consumption. The aim of this research was to examine the level of support for evidence-based alcohol control policy among the Irish population. We conducted a household survey using quota sampling in three pilot sites in Southern Ireland. Consumption, attitude, and behaviour questions were taken from previously validated instruments. In total, 1075 individuals completed the questionnaire. Hazardous alcohol consumption was reported by 51.1% of the population, 31.5% of women, and 69.8% of men. The majority of individuals (> 50%) supported alcohol policy measures. These individuals are more likely to be low-risk drinkers, older individuals, and report alcohol-related issues in their local area. In the context of Ireland's Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, this research signals support for evidence-based strategies including minimum unit pricing and a reduction and separation of alcohol sales outlets.
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Nicholls J, Greenaway J. What is the problem?: Evidence, politics and alcohol policy in England and Wales, 2010–2014. DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY 2015. [DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2014.993923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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