Norman A. Giesbrecht, PhD, Public Health & Regulatory Policy Section, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada, 416 535-8501 ext 6895, norman_giesbrecht@camh.net

This session focuses on the interaction of public opinion and actual alcohol policies in international, national, state and local contexts. It will address several questions: What are public views on different alcohol policy options and how does these vary with demographic characteristics of the respondents and their drinking patterns? Is public opinion generally in line with alcohol policy in the jurisdiction where the survey was conducted? How is public opinion currently used as a resource in promoting evidence-based policy? What steps are needed to make it a better resource?

There are four presentations in this session. The first by Thomas K. Greenfield and colleagues focuses on "Views of alcohol control policies in the 2000 National Alcohol Survey: What news for alcohol policy development in the US and its States?" Robert F. Saltz will speak on "Approval and perceived approval of alcohol policies in college campus." Eileen M. Harwood and colleagues will present on: "State and national public opinions on alcohol policies: A policy advocate resource." And Norman Giesbrecht and colleagues will address "Alcohol marketing and retailing: Do recent developments match public opinion?'

Learning Objectives: In this session the participants will

• Be made aware of public opinion on alcohol policies in the United States and Canada and their associations with demographic characteristics and drinking patterns.
• Learn about support for alcohol policies among college students.
• Gain an understanding of the utility of public opinion on policy for social advocacy
• Identify challenges in using public opinions in developing evidence-based policies

Keywords: Advocacy, Legislative

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.