Korean public opinion on alcohol control policy: A cross-sectional International Alcohol Control study

• Examination of Korean public opinion on alcohol control policy.
• Generally, targeted measures are more popular than universal.
• Most opposition of universal policies came from binge and frequent drinkers.
• Female, old, married people are more supportive than male, young, single people.
• Those more aware of harmful drinking environments are more supportive.

ObjectiveTo examine Korean public opinions toward alcohol control measures on availability, advertisement, drink-driving and pricing policy, and how the views on alcohol control policy vary by demographics, drinking patterns and attitude to drinking environments.MethodsThe study used national-based, cross-sectional data collected in 2012 as part of the International Alcohol Control study. 2510 people (M: 1163, F: 1261) aged 15–65 and living in geographically diverse regions of Korea completed the questionnaire asking the support of 12 alcohol control measures.ResultsGenerally, targeted measures (purchase age of 20 and drink-driving) were more popular than universal (availability, advertisement and price) among Koreans. Gender, age, marital status, drinking patterns and attitude to drinking environments related to alcohol use of young and heavy drinkers were strong predictors of the opinions on most of the alcohol control measures. It was daily/weekly drinkers who opposed most restrictions on alcohol availability and price and the support from individuals who are more aware of problems with drinking in public place was outstanding in every control measure.ConclusionThese findings should be taken into account by Korean policy-makers as they formulate an alcohol policy for the country.