People Want Higher Alcohol Taxes

Worldwide Data on Public Support for Alcohol Taxation

Why Public Support for Alcohol Policy Matters

Public support is a decisive factor in alcohol policy. It shapes whether governments feel confident to act, and it determines how well new measures work once introduced. Too often, the alcohol industry spreads the myth that people don’t want effective solutions like raising alcohol taxes, lowering alcohol availability, and protecting people from alcohol ads. In reality, people and communities across the world consistently express high support for promoting health and justice through alcohol policy. 

Making this support visible is therefore essential – both for getting policies adopted and for ensuring they succeed.

1. Public support matters for policy making

• Legitimacy and confidence: Policymakers are far more likely to act when they know the public is behind them. Demonstrating that people and communities support measures like higher alcohol taxes reassures governments that they are responding to people’s values and lived experiences, not imposing “unwanted” solutions.
• Countering industry narratives: The alcohol industry tries to portray effective policies as “unpopular” or “politically risky.” Evidence of broad public backing dismantles this myth and shows that the real democratic mandate lies with protecting health, fairness, and community well-being.
• Momentum and feasibility: Public support creates a sense of inevitability. It signals to decision-makers that evidence-based action is not only possible but expected, helping to move alcohol policy higher on political agendas.

2. Public support matters for policy success

• Compliance and acceptance: When people recognize that a policy reflects their values — fairness, responsibility, solidarity — they are more likely to comply. Public backing makes implementation smoother and strengthens the policy’s real-world impact.
• Social proof and norm change: Public support sends a powerful cultural signal: “This is what most people want.” Highlighting this shared will helps shift norms around alcohol, reinforces healthier behaviors, and builds trust in public institutions.
• Entry points for stronger action: Even when support is higher for “softer” measures like education or labeling, these can serve as gateways that prepare the ground for more effective but less popular policies, such as taxation or availability restrictions.

The Core Message

A major obstacle in alcohol policy is the false belief — among both policymakers and the public — that people don’t support evidence-based solutions. In reality, many communities, especially women, young people, and those directly harmed by alcohol, consistently call for stronger action. By making public support visible, we build legitimacy, counter corporate propaganda, and normalize ambitious alcohol policy as the fair, popular, and responsible choice.

Executive Summary

Public support for alcohol policy is both high and widespread – and it matters. Governments are more likely to act when they know people back them, and policies work better when they reflect shared values of fairness, health, and responsibility.

The new report “People Want Higher Alcohol Taxes. Worldwide Data on Public Support for Alcohol Taxation” shows that public support for alcohol policy is broad, durable, and actionable. Across regions and income levels, people back fair, effective alcohol policy solutions – especially when framed around health, justice, and societal benefit. This evidence overturns the industry-driven myth that alcohol taxation and other Best Buys are “unpopular,” and it gives governments a clear mandate to act.

Global picture. A Gallup–WHO survey (2021–2022) finds 69% support for higher alcohol taxes across five diverse countries (Jordan 92%, Tanzania 75%, India 66%, Colombia 63%, United States 54%). RESET Alcohol Initiative polling echoes this pattern in Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, where majorities want government action on alcohol harm and support tax increases – especially when revenues fund health, education, or social programs.

Other studies and surveys also illustrate this reality.

For example, research across seven countries shows general support for a wide range of alcohol policies. In Australia, support for alcohol tax reforms rose significantly when revenues were earmarked for health and prevention – with up to 79% backing measures like a minimum price for bottled alcohol. In Canada, support for lowering alcohol taxes fell steadily over time, while backing for the status quo or increases grew. Surveys in Czech Republic, Germany, South Korea, Hong Kong, Sweden, the UK, and the US all show majority support for alcohol taxation, particularly when linked to protecting health or funding essential services.

Country evidence shows that support is consistently high – especially when policies are linked to fairness and health.

What this means for policymakers

• Legitimacy: People want protection from alcohol harm; acting aligns with public values.
• Feasibility: Visible support lowers perceived political risk and counters misleading alcohol industry narratives.
• Design and messaging: Earmarking, equity (tax more harmful products), and clear health framing significantly increase public support.

This global evidence dismantles industry claims of unpopularity, empowers governments to act with confidence, and demonstrates that alcohol policy in general and alcohol taxation in particular is effective and fair – and is also a popular solution.

The key insight is clear: people want common-sense, evidence-based alcohol policy, and they support alcohol taxation – especially when it is framed around fairness, solidarity, and community benefit. Making this support visible powers adoption, strengthens implementation, and normalizes ambitious alcohol policy as the responsible, popular choic

Report Findings: Worldwide Data on Public Support for Alcohol Taxation

Across continents and contexts, people consistently back fair and effective alcohol policies that protect health and advance justice.

Global picture: Gallup global survey 2021-2022 shows majority in favour of raising alcohol taxes

In 2021-22, the global polling company Gallup conducted an international representative survey of people’s perceptions of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors.

The Gallup survey was conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, covering 7000 participants from across five countries – Colombia, India, Jordan, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America.

The survey covers a variety of issues including awareness of the term ‘noncommunicable disease’; understanding of the diseases and risk factors; perceptions of harmfulness and agency in preventing the diseases; levels of public support for selected policy measures – such as alcohol taxation; and trust in different health information sources.

The survey showed big and broad support for alcohol tax increases among the world’s adult population.

People support alcohol taxation and other NCDs Best Buys

A broad majority of people from the five countries highly supports all nine specific policies tested in the survey, such as increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

Alcohol taxation is the single most cost-effective alcohol policy solution to prevent and reduce alcohol harm. The data show that a broad majority overall and in each of the five countries support raising alcohol taxes.

Data from the RESET Alcohol Initiative: People Support Raising Alcohol taxes

In 2024, Vital Strategies together with local partners of the RESET Alcohol Initiative completed a survey of more than 6,000 residents spanning five partner countries on people’s attitudes about alcohol harms and alcohol policy solutions.
The results are striking: People are gravely concerned about alcohol harm. And people desire alcohol policy change. They want their governments to take alcohol policy action and to hold the alcohol industry accountable for the harms alcohol is causing.

The results are striking: People desire alcohol policy change. And there is high and broad support for the need to act on alcohol harm, for government responsibility, and for raising alcohol taxes.

• Between 61% and 78% of respondents from Colombia, Kenya and Mexico said they consider alcohol a major problem in their country. 
• In the Philippines, Kenya and Colombia, of those who said alcohol consumption was a problem, more than 60% were most concerned about violence due to alcohol. 
• In Brazil, 58% of respondents said alcohol companies should take responsibility for harms due to alcohol.

The poll results show that people want alcohol policy change.

In Sri Lanka, 75% of survey respondents believe that alcohol taxation is an effective way of reducing alcohol consumption and harm.

In Brazil, 62% agree that higher taxation on alcohol would effectively help reducing consumption and 62% support alcohol price increases. 61% endorse taxes to reduce alcohol consumption.

In Kenya, 65% believe increases in taxes on alcohol products would be effective in reducing alcohol consumption. 86%, 85%, 82%, and 79% said that their support for an alcohol tax would increase if the funds were used respectively for education, for health care, for housing and to support the poor, or for alcohol treatment and support services.

In Mexico, the majority of the people support government action on alcohol harm, with nearly 60% saying they would support a price increase on alcoholic beverages. 83% of Mexicans say that their support for taxes on alcohol would increase if revenue was directed toward social goods, particularly education or healthcare.

And in Colombia, 75% say reducing alcohol harms is the government’s responsibility, and a majority back higher taxes – particularly if revenue funds education, health care, or social programs.

Study Finds General Public Support For Alcohol Policy Across Seven Countries

The aim of the study was to provide an international perspective on public support for a range of alcohol policy solutions across varying countries. The researchers assessed levels of public support for 14 potential alcohol policy initiatives across seven countries.

The findings show general support among the public for alcohol policy.

Alcohol policy support

Across the total sample, means for each initiative ranged from 3.49 to 4.09 on a 5-point agreement scale, indicating generally favourable responses. 

The researchers assessed levels of public support for 14 potential alcohol policy initiatives across seven countries. 

Overall, the results indicate generally supportive environments for most of the assessed initiatives in most of the included countries.

In terms of specific initiatives, policies relating to product labelling were highly supported across countries, while those relating to alcohol advertising restrictions were less favoured but still directly supported by at least half of the respondents.

Australia: A review of public opinion towards alcohol (pricing) policy

Increasing concern about the negative impact of alcohol on the Australian community has led to renewed calls for more evidence-based alcohol policy action. 

The researchers review levels of and trends in public support for alcohol policy in general and alcohol pricing and taxation reforms in Australia between 1998 and 2009.

The majority of the Australian public support most proposed alcohol policy measures. Levels of support vary between more targeted and more universal policy measures.

Results also show that framing the issue correctly is important:

• Less than one-quarter of the Australian public in 2007 gave unqualified support for a price increase on alcohol. 
• However support by Australians at the same time was nearly doubled for an increased tax on alcohol (which invariably would also increase price) and was as high as 67% in Victoria in 2009 [50], if the additional revenue collected is dedicated towards the prevention and treatment of alcohol harm.

Support is much higher for specific price and tax reforms in comparison to general price and tax increases.

A large survey of Victorian residents in 2009 found: 

• More than 66% of respondents would support tiered tax rates according to increasing alcoholic content; 
• 61% agreed that the highest tax rate should be applied to products that cause the greatest harm, and 
• 79% supported a minimum price for bottled alcohol so that it is not cheaper than bottled water.

Citation: Tobin, C., Moodie, A.R. & Livingstone, C. A review of public opinion towards alcohol controls in Australia. BMC Public Health 11, 58 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-58

Australia: Knowledge of cancer risk increases public support for alcohol policies

• Most participants were supportive of health warnings, protecting young people from internet alcohol advertising, and requiring information on national alcohol consumption guidelines on alcohol containers.
• Almost half of participants supported a ban on sport sponsorship.
• More than than 40% supported price increases, volumetric taxation, or reducing the number of retail outlets. 
• 47% of participants identified consuming too much alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.
• Knowledge of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer was a significant predictor of support for all policies.
• The level of alcohol consumption had a significant inverse relationship with policy support.

Citation: Buykx P, Gilligan C, Ward B, Kippen R, Chapman K. Public support for alcohol policies associated with knowledge of cancer risk. Int J Drug Policy. 2015 Apr;26(4):371-9. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.08.006. Epub 2014 Aug 21. PMID: 25217801.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25217801/

Czech People Support Alcohol Policy Action

A 2025 national survey confirms that most people in the Czech Republic support improving and levelling up alcohol policy to prevent harm and protect health. The survey results, presented by Minister Zdravi, a Movendi International member organisation, show that the public supports a wide range of alcohol policy measures, including alcohol advertising bans, taxation reforms, and common-sense limits on alcohol sales.

People Want Common-Sense Limits on Alcohol Promotion and Availability

People highly support specific alcohol advertising limitations across different categories.

For example:

The public also supports placing common sense limits on alcohol availability and affordability.

For instance:

Although some measures faced mixed opinions, such as limiting nighttime alcohol sales in shops (39% in favour, 30% opposed), the overall trend reflects a growing public awareness about the harms caused by alcohol and the importance of preventive policy action.

Majority of People in Finland Support Evidence-Based Alcohol Policy Focused on Health Promotion

A 2025 survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reveals that most people in Finland support maintaining the current evidence-based alcohol policy, which prioritises health promotion and alcohol harm prevention.

Public support for maintaining Finland’s alcohol retail monopoly remains high and has grown. At the same time, fewer people favour worsening and eroding current alcohol policies further. For example, people oppose allowing grocery stores to sell wine.

According to the survey, 54% of respondents believe that the existing alcohol policy is appropriate. In addition, 17% support further improved and upscaled policies. 

On the contrary, only 20% want a worsened, further eroded alcohol policy. 

This data highlights a growing preference for policies that protect people’s health by limiting the availability of alcoholic products.

The survey also shows a significant shift in public opinion over the past few years. 

• In 2022, 29% of respondents wanted a worsened alcohol policy.
• By 2025, that figure had dropped to 20%. 
• At the same time, support for improved alcohol policies in line with international standards increased from 8% to 17%.
• This shows a clear trend among the people in Finland toward better alcohol policy for promoting health and preventing harms.

These findings emphasise the importance of keeping effective alcohol policies in place to protect people’s health. People in Finland want that alcohol harm prevention remains a priority in Finland’s policymaking.

Survey: Germans Want Better Alcohol Policy

According to a 2023 survey commissioned by then Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert, 59% of Germans support a complete ban of alcohol advertising. 50% also support increasing alcohol taxes. In Germany, the harm caused by alcohol companies is rampant and people want to see government action. The coalition agreement contains commitments to develop evidence-based alcohol policy solutions.

Alcohol taxes in Germany are among the lowest in Europe. For instance, wine is not taxed at all.

Clearly, people in Germany are weary of rampant alcohol harm

Hong Kong, China: Support for the WHO Alcohol Policy Best Buys

• Among the alcohol policy Best Buys, people supported most strongly the introduction of moderate beer/wine taxes (68.7%) and reduced alcohol retail hours (51.9%).
• Banning event sponsorships (19.5%) and public alcohol consumption events (17.7%) received the least support.

Citation: Yu J, Dong D, Sumerlin TS, Goggins WB, Feng Q, Kim JH. Selling World Health Organization’s Alcohol “Best Buys” and Other Recommended Interventions in an Urban Chinese Population: Public Acceptability of Alcohol Harms Reduction Strategies in Hong Kong. Front Public Health. 2022 Apr 21;10:855416. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.855416. PMID: 35530734; PMCID: PMC9068987.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35530734/

New Zealand: Local Alcohol Policy Emerges As Best Practices

Auckland’s new alcohol policy is already making a difference. Six months in, residents report quieter, safer neighbourhoods, fewer emergency visits, and cleaner public spaces.
The policy of placing common sense limits on alcohol availability has full compliance from businesses and strong community backing – and already inspired adaptions across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Auckland’s Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) is showing early signs of success in alcohol prevention, with community members already reporting tangible improvements in public safety and wellbeing. As reported by Auckland Council, initial feedback gathered through a survey led by Alcohol Healthwatch reveals that residents feel their neighbourhoods have become quieter, safer, and cleaner since the policy came into effect.

The LAP, unanimously adopted by Auckland’s mayor and councillors, came into force six months ago after years of advocacy for better local alcohol policy. 

According to the Auckland Council, the key policy changes include:

• requiring off-licences to stop selling alcohol by 9pm, and 
• mandating bars, clubs, and restaurants outside the city centre to end alcohol sales by 3am, one hour earlier than before. 

These changes were aimed at reducing availability of alcohol during high-risk hours. Reducing the physical availability of alcohol is one of the alcohol policy best buys, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – meaning it is cost-effective, scientifically proven, and very impactful in protecting people from alcohol harms.

online survey, conducted between January and March 2025 via platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and the websites of Alcohol Healthwatch and the Salvation Army, drew participation from 90 Aucklanders. According to Auckland Council, respondents were asked to reflect on the changes since the LAP took effect and whether they would support additional measures around alcohol availability.

Findings indicate impressive community backing for the LAP, especially among families and those concerned with public health and safety. Respondents highlighted noticeable reductions in disruptive late-night behaviour, violence, and street-level alcohol use.

Louise Mason, General Manager of Policy at Auckland Council, stated that while six months is a relatively short period, the early results are promising. A full evaluation of the policy’s impact is scheduled for early 2026, but the initial signs suggest that alcohol-related harm is already decreasing.

Ontario, Canada: Trends in public opinion on alcohol policy

The study documented the trend that people increasingly favor the status quo or more alcohol policy action through taxes and hours of sale.

• Support for decreasing alcohol taxes declined from 24.4% in 1996 to 16.1% in 2010. 
• Support for status quo on alcohol tax levels increased from 55.5% in 1996 to 69.4% in 2010.

Citation: Ialomiteanu AR, Giesbrecht N, Adlaf EM, Wettlaufer A. Trends in public opinion on alcohol issues during a period of increasing access to alcohol: Ontario, Canada, 1996-2011. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2014 May;33(3):249-58. doi: 10.1111/dar.12130. PMID: 24761757.

Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12130

South Korea: Public support for health taxes and media regulation of harmful products

• The vast majority (71.8%) of respondents support health taxes in general. 
• Despite a high prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption among the respondents, people strongly supported media regulation of tobacco (72.3%), alcohol (63.7%).

Citation: Kim KH, Kang E, Yun YH. Public support for health taxes and media regulation of harmful products in South Korea. BMC Public Health. 2019 May 30;19(1):665. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7044-2. PMID: 31146724; PMCID: PMC6543563.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31146724/

Sweden: Solidarity or self-interest? Public opinion in relation to alcohol policies in Sweden

In the context of the study this means significant level of support:

1. Nearly 4 in 10 people say they actively want higher alcohol taxes.
2. Support is double the opposition. Only 18% of Swedes wanted lower taxes, meaning that supporters of tax increases far outnumber opponents by more than two to one. This shows the majority either favours increases or is comfortable with the status quo.
3. Solid foundation for political action. If you add those who support raising taxes (37%) with those who don’t want reductions, you get a clear public mandate for maintaining or raising alcohol taxes. In political terms, that makes alcohol tax reform much more feasible than alcohol industry claims suggests.
4. Aligned with solidarity values. The study highlights that support is grounded in concerns for society and fairness. That means this support is value-based – it reflects a deeper social norm that alcohol harm should be addressed collectively.

US: Public opinion on alcohol policies in the United States

82% of respondents in the US support increased alcohol taxes, ”provided the funds are used for treatment or prevention programs”.

Citation: Wagenaar AC, Harwood EM, Toomey TL, Denk CE, Zander KM. Public opinion on alcohol policies in the United States: results from a national survey. J Public Health Policy. 2000;21(3):303-27. PMID: 11021045.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11021045/

UK: Alcohol Health Alliance Survey

A 2018 survey conducted by the Alcohol Health Alliance UK shows that 52% of people support increasing alcohol taxes if the money raised went into funding public services impacted by alcohol use, such as the NHS and police. 

The survey also showed that less than a fifth (19%) of people would oppose such a measure.

Link: https://ahauk.org/news/duty-stats-2018/