Public opinion and alcohol policy: comparisons of two Canadian general population surveys

Abstract

Abstract In recent years increasing attention has been devoted to the association between public opinion and alcohol policy. This paper compares public opinion on alcohol policy questions in two national cross‐sectional surveys of representatives samples of the general population in Canada, with total Ns of 11 634 (1989) and 12 155 (1994). Views on the following topics are analysed: taxation of alcoholic beverages, the legal drinking age, beer and liquor store hours, government advertising against drinking, efforts to prevent drunken patrons from being served, adding warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers, selling alcohol in convenience (corner) stores, alcohol and drug education and treatment programs. Public support for current and potential alcohol policies is compared to actual changes in alcohol policy at the national level and to gradual or dramatic increases in access to alcohol in provincial contexts. Personal views on policies are placed into context by examining associations among support for policies, respondents' demographic characteristics and their drinking volumes and patterns. A decline in support for further or enhanced policy interventions is evident, although support remains high for several measures. In some instances public responses seemed to be a reaction to increased access, in others a confirmation of greater availability.