PUBLIC-ATTITUDES TO THE REGULATION OF ALCOHOL

Public support for the regulation of alcohol is central to government policies aimed at reducing consumption. This study uses a nationally r epresentative population survey conducted in 1993 (n = 3500) to examin e public support for 11 separate policies designed to reduce alcohol c onsumption. The results show that the respondents see these 11 policie s in terms of three distinct approaches to alcohol regulation: availab ility (for example, reducing the number of retail outlets); control (f or example, stricter enforcement of laws against serving underage cust omers); and promotion (for example, restricting alcohol advertising on television). There is strong public support for policies that control alcohol use and, with the exception of restricting alcohol sponsorshi p of sporting events, for moves to curb the promotion of alcohol. Howe ver, public opinion is evenly divided on moves to restrict availabilit y, with the single exception of raising the minimum legal drinking age , which attracts majority support. Women, older people, the less educa ted, immigrants and abstainers or less frequent drinkers are generally most likely to support more restrictions. By state and territory, Tas manians are most restrictive in their views, residents of the Northern Territory most liberal. The findings highlight the difficulties that governments will face in restricting the availability of alcohol.