• Energy Research

Public awareness of the alcohol-cancer link is low. Provision of this information could reduce alcohol consumption and related harms. The Spread campaign is a multi-media education campaign implemented in Western Australia to inform people about the carcinogenic properties of alcohol and associated harms. The aims of the present study were to (i) examine attitudinal and behavioural outcomes of the Spread campaign and (ii) identify demographic and drinking status factors associated with enactment of harm-reduction behaviours resulting from exposure.A cross sectional survey of Western Australian drinkers (consumed alcohol at least a few times in the previous 12 months, n = 760) examined campaign recognition, campaign perceptions, and behaviours resulting from campaign exposure. Chi-square analyses and a generalised linear model were used to identify demographic and alcohol-related factors associated with behavioural outcomes.Around two-thirds of respondents recognised the campaign (65%), and of these, 22% reported successfully reducing how often or how much they drank due to seeing the campaign. Three quarters (73%) of all respondents considered the campaign message about the alcohol-cancer link to be believable. Respondents drinking at levels above the Australian guideline were less likely to have positive perceptions of the campaign than those complying with the guideline, but were more likely to report enacting the assessed harm-reduction behaviours as a result of campaign exposure.The results suggest that provision of information about the alcohol-cancer link has the potential to motivate reduced alcohol consumption. Implementing such campaigns could constitute an effective alcohol harm-reduction strategy.

To assess (i) the effectiveness of a mass media campaign communicating the potential harms associated with consuming even small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy and (ii) changes in females' intentions to abstain during pregnancy after campaign exposure.Independent samples of ∼400 Western Australian adults (18-45 years) were recruited at two time points (before and after the 'One Drink' campaign) to complete online surveys. Attitudinal and behavioural intention outcomes were assessed at both time points. Descriptive analyses and generalised linear models were used to assess outcomes.Three-quarters (76%) of the post-campaign sample members reported awareness of the campaign. In the descriptive analyses there were significant improvements in three of the seven attitudinal items. The regression models yielded significant increases in agreement that pregnant women should not drink alcohol (assessed among females and males) and intentions to abstain during pregnancy (assessed among females only).The results indicate favourable understanding and behavioural intention effects from exposure to a campaign promoting alcohol abstinence during pregnancy.This study demonstrates that investment in campaigns warning about alcohol use in pregnancy is likely to be a worthwhile approach to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harms to individuals and society.

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mass media campaign alerting the public to the potential harms of alcohol to unborn babies and to inform future intervention efforts.MethodAn online survey was administered to 889 adult Western Australians. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, typical alcohol use, recognition and perceptions of the campaign, and behavioural changes resulting from campaign exposure. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with perceived campaign effectiveness.ResultsMost respondents reported having seen/heard the campaign on at least one form of media (71%). Most considered the campaign to be believable (89%), clear (88%), trustworthy (87%), memorable (82%) and among the best they had seen (78%). As a result of campaign exposure, a large majority reported increased concern about drinking during pregnancy (85%) and most female respondents reported being much less likely to use alcohol during a pregnancy (83%). One‐third of female respondents (33%) reported that as a result of being exposed to the campaign they had decided not to consume alcohol while pregnant. Confidence to abstain, awareness of strategies to abstain, lower socioeconomic position, residing in the metropolitan area and recognising the campaign were significantly associated with greater perceived campaign effectiveness.Discussion and ConclusionsResults indicate the campaign was well received by respondents, increased concern about drinking alcohol during pregnancy and positively influenced women's intentions to refrain from drinking while pregnant. Well‐designed campaigns on alcohol avoidance during pregnancy can be considered acceptable and effective by target audiences.

(1) Background: The emergence of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is likely to have substantial implications for walking behaviours due to the availability of new transport options and altered physical environments within cities. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify AV-related factors that could affect walking at the population level and strategies to ameliorate any negative effects. (2) Methods: A total of 46 Australian expert stakeholders were interviewed about their perceptions of the potential impacts of AVs on walking behaviours. The interviewees represented government departments (state and federal), non-government organisations (NGOs), private sector companies, peak bodies, and academia. (3) Results: Interviewees expected AVs to have different effects on individuals’ ability and motivation to engage in planned versus incidental walking. While those with innate motivation to walk as a form of exercise or leisure may experience enhanced participation opportunities, it appears that incidental walking could be adversely impacted through the availability of convenient AV door-to-door transport options and automated home delivery services that reduce walking related to commuting and shopping. (4) Conclusions: Proactive policy actions are needed to optimize the potential positive impacts of AVs on walking and circumvent the potential negative impacts on valuable incidental walking that constitutes a key component of many people’s total physical activity.

AbstractIssuesYoung people are particularly impressionable when it comes to forming expectations and attitudes around alcohol consumption. Any stimuli that normalise and foster positive expectations around alcohol use may increase the risk of underage alcohol consumption. Alcohol venues that market themselves as being appropriate ‘family friendly’ establishments for children risk exposing minors to environments that are saturated with alcohol‐related stimuli. However, research examining how exposure to licenced venues affects underage people is very limited. The aim of this narrative review was to identify and synthesise relevant evidence to better understand how attending these venues might affect minors.ApproachA narrative review of research published between January 2016 and November 2022 was conducted to investigate the potential effects on underage people of exposure to licenced venues and stimuli encountered in/around these venues. Examined stimuli included alcohol advertising, people consuming alcohol and alcohol outlets.Key FindingsThe reviewed literature indicates that the risk of alcohol‐related harm among minors is likely to increase with greater exposure to alcohol venues due to the associated exposure to alcohol advertising, exposure to others consuming alcohol and higher outlet density. In combination, these factors are likely to normalise alcohol consumption for minors and create positive alcohol expectancies.Implications and ConclusionVenues serving alcohol should be discouraged from targeting families and parents should be warned about the risks associated with taking minors to venues where alcohol is sold and consumed.

Many governments are failing to systematically introduce evidence-based alcohol control policies, and debate continues around issues of market freedom and personal responsibility. The aim of this international study was to assess the extent to which the public considers a range of alcohol control policies to be the responsibility of three different categories of actors: government, the private sector, and individuals. Around 1000 respondents from seven countries (Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the UK, and the US; n = 7559) completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption status, and perceived responsibility for four alcohol harm-reduction actions relating to alcohol availability, advertising, and public education campaigns. Across the total sample and all assessed actions, governments were selected as an appropriate actor in 66 % of instances, the private sector in 39 %, and individuals in 28 %. Respondents from New Zealand were most likely to consider the actions to be government responsibility and respondents from the US the least. In relatively few instances (8 %), respondents considered the actions unworthy of attention by any actor. Across all seven countries, governments were considered to be the most appropriate actors to undertake actions relating to restricting alcohol availability, regulating alcohol advertising, and disseminating campaigns to educate the public about alcohol-related harm. The results indicate that the public may be receptive to greater intervention in these areas.

(1) Background: The automation of transport systems is well underway; however, it is unclear how this will affect people’s mobility choices. Changes in these choices have implications for health and the sustainability and efficiency of transport systems, making it important to understand how the advent of autonomous vehicles might affect people’s transport behaviors. The aim of the present study was to address this knowledge gap in the Australian context. (2) Methods: Respondents reported their demographic information, current transport behaviors, the perceived importance of transport-related factors, and attitudes toward autonomous vehicles. They then read a vignette describing a future scenario involving autonomous vehicles that was informed by expert stakeholders. After reading the vignette, the respondents selected those transport options that they would anticipate using in the depicted scenario. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine changes in transport choices, while regression models were employed to identify the predictors of choices in the future scenario. (3) Results: Most respondents envisaged making greater use of active, shared, and public transport options in an autonomous future, compared to their current use of these options. The intended use of private transport options halved. The most consistent predictor for selecting a certain mode of transport was the current use of that option or its non-autonomous equivalent. (4) Conclusion: Overall, favorable changes in the envisaged use of transport were observed for the hypothetical scenario, which was characterized by improved public transport, a practical active transport infrastructure, and relatively cheap shared autonomous vehicles. If policymakers can act to realize these outcomes, the autonomation of transport is likely to lead to positive societal change.