Public opinion on alcohol consumption and intoxication at Swedish professional football events

Charlotte Skoglund,Johanna Gripenberg,Tobias H Elgán,Natalie Durbeej

doi:10.1186/s13011-017-0103-8

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol-related problems at professional sporting events are of increasing concern and alarming reports are often reported in international media. Although alcohol consumption increases the risk for interpersonal violence, it is viewed as a focal element of large football events. Sweden has a long tradition of high public support for strict alcohol-control policies. However, little is known about public opinions on alcohol intoxication and the support for interventions to decrease intoxication at football events. The current study explored the public opinion towards alcohol use, intoxication and alcohol policies at professional football matches in Sweden.MethodsA cross-sectional design was utilized and a random general population sample of 3503 adult Swedish residents was asked to participate in a web survey during 2016 (response rate 68%).ResultsIn total, 26% of the respondents supported alcohol sales at football events. Over 90% reported that obviously intoxicated spectators should be denied entrance or evicted from arenas. The support for regulations limiting alcohol availability varied with background factors such as gender, alcohol use and frequency of football event attendance.ConclusionsThere is a strong public consensus for strategies and policies to reduce alcohol sales and intoxication levels at football matches. This public support has implications for our preventive efforts and will facilitate the implementation of strategies and policy changes.

Highlights

Alcohol-related problems at professional sporting events are of increasing concern and alarming reports are often reported in international media
There is a strong consensus for reducing intoxication levels at football matches
Given the well-established disinhibiting effects of alcohol [43], it might be reasonable to hypothesize that the overall levels of disturbances and turbulence at or near football arenas could be reduced through decreased alcohol consumption [9, 11]

Summary

Introduction

Alcohol-related problems at professional sporting events are of increasing concern and alarming reports are often reported in international media. Alcohol consumption increases the risk for interpersonal violence, it is viewed as a focal element of large football events. In a large survey of opinions towards alcohol-control policies in the adult U.S population, the highest level of support for alcohol-reducing regulations was given by women, older adults (>25 years), parents, and infrequent or non-drinkers of alcoholic beverages [15]. Increased understanding of the public opinions and community readiness towards alcohol sales, consumption and intoxication at sporting events can help tailor and implement future community-based interventions. Interventions to reduce adverse consequences of alcohol intoxication at sporting events have previously been shown to decrease violence and public health costs and could increase the positive contribution that football offers to the community [20, 21]

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Conclusion