Civic participation by 18- to 20-year-olds as a predictor of support for alcohol control policies: the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol project

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that federal, state, and local alcohol control policies effectively reduce alcohol consumption and subsequent alcohol-related problems among young adults (Toomey et al., 1993; Wagenaar & Farrell, 1989; Ritson, 1994; Anderson & Lehto, 1994). Increasing the legal age for consumption of alcoholic beverages from 18 years to 21 years has been associated with reduced traffic fatality rates (O'Malley & Wagenaar, 1991) and with a reduction in other problems associated with youthful alcohol use such as suicide and unintentional injury (Jones et al., 1992). Increased taxation of alcohol has been associated with decreased auto fatality rates (Cook, 1981) and with reduced alcohol-related harm (Kendell et al., 1983). Additionally, it has been estimated that car crash fatalities among 18- to 20-year-olds could be markedly reduced if beer taxation were indexed for inflation (Saffer & Grossman, 1987). Public policy development and implementation, however, require public understanding, concern and support (Leedham, 1987; Room et al., 1995; Bang & Bang, 1991; Gordis, 1991). Policies that are widely supported are more likely to be successfully implemented and enforced. Efforts to enact alcohol control policy have been hampered by the alcohol industry (Ross, 1992) and by public perception that the majority of drinkers create few problems for society (Gordis, 1991). Despite these social barriers, increasing public support for alcohol control policy is possible (Room et al., 1995). Wagenaar (1993) documents how dissemination of high-quality research results beyond the scientific community by researchers and members of community organizations influenced public opinion and contributed to many states' decision to raise the minimum legal drinking age during the 1980s. Despite generally low levels of initial support for alcohol control policies in New Zealand, a community action project combined with media attention built increased public support for alcohol control policy (Casswell et al., 1989). Support for alcohol control policies among adults varies according to the specific policy (Wagenaar & Streff, 1990; Schmid et al., 1990). In general, prevention and control efforts that impose the fewest restrictions on the behavior of non-problem drinkers are the most widely supported (Hilton & Kaskutas, 1991). Although Schmid et al. reported generally high levels of support for all alcohol control policies among adults in Minnesota, policies promoting youth protection were the most strongly supported, followed by restrictions and prohibitions such as limiting advertising and then by increased alcohol taxes. Elimination of existing alcohol control measures was the least favored. Jones-Webb et al. (1993) reported ethnic differences in support for alcohol control polices in a large survey of adults in Marin County, California. Latinos were more likely than whites to support restricted sponsorship of sports events by the alcohol industry and server liability legislation. Demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, and certain attitudes influence support for alcohol control policies. Women are more likely than men to support alcohol control policy (Ahlstrom & Osterberg, 1992); Schmid et al., 1990; Jeffery et al., 1990; Room et al., 1995; Casswell et al., 1989; Jones-Webb et al., 1993). Older age has been associated with higher levels of support for alcohol control policies (Schmid et al., 1990; Jeffery et al., 1990; Casswell et al., 1989), whereas younger age is associated with opposition to policies that restrict alcohol (Room et al., 1995). Light drinkers are more likely than heavier drinkers to support restrictive alcohol policy (Pendleton et al., 1990; Ahlstrom & Osterberg, 1991; Schmid et al.,1990; Room et al., 1995; Jones-Webb et al., 1993). Finally, those reporting higher levels of concern about drunk driving were more supportive of restrictive alcohol policies (Wagenaar & Streff, 1990). …