Describing patterns of support for alcohol reduction policies among policy influencers and general public in Alberta...

Uptake of alcohol policies has been limited in Canada. Using data from Alberta, we examined 1) patterns in support for alcohol policies among policy influencers and the general public, and 2) identified socio-demographic predictors of policy support separately among policy influencers and general public.

We used survey datasets (2016-2021) obtained from the Chronic Disease Prevention Survey that collected data from policy influencers and the general public. Policies of focus were: Restrict alcohol sales to minors; re-allocation of alcohol revenue to health services; mandatory warning labels on alcoholic beverages; and tax alcohol based on ethyl content. For each, we calculated the proportion of participants who opposed, supported, or were unsure. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess predictors of support.

Response rates for policy influencers and the general public were 12% and 20.4%, respectively. Support for all policies exceeded opposition in both subgroups. In 2019, there was an increase in support and a decrease in opposition for all policies among the policy influencers, while among the general public, there was a decrease in support and an increase in opposition. The proportion of those being unsure consistently increased over time. Supporters among policy influencers were more likely to be older and females/women and, among the general public, were more likely to be older, females/women, and university graduates.

Sustained support for alcohol reduction policies is evident, but addressing uncertainty and lower support among specific groups is key to ensure that policy development is both evidence-informed and socially responsive.