Table 2 Principal Component analysis of 21^a alcohol policy items – reduced to four factors

Increasing the price of alcohol

Taxing alcoholic drinks on the basis of the percentage of alcohol they contain

Reducing hours alcohol can be sold within off-licenses and supermarkets

Setting a minimum unit price below which a unit of alcohol cannot be sold

Reducing the number of outlets that sell alcohol

Reducing trading hours for all pubs and clubs

Banning outdoor advertising of alcohol such as on bill boards and bus stops

Limiting advertising for alcohol on TV until after 9.00 pm

Restricting the display of alcohol in shops and supermarkets to dedicated aisles (e.g. not in the entrance)

Banning alcohol sponsorship of sporting events

Requiring information on national drinking guidelines on all alcohol containers

Specific health warnings on alcohol containers (e.g. like on tobacco packaging)

Banning having alcohol available to drink at school events where children are present, such as fetes

Making it compulsory that the number of alcohol units in a bottle or can of alcoholic drink be shown on the label

Increasing funding for alcohol treatment services

Introducing and promoting lower strength wine and lower strength or no alcohol beer

Doctors or health professionals ask patients about their drinking habits and, where necessary, offer advice on how to reduce their alcohol consumption

Offering and promoting smaller drink sizes in pubs and restaurants

Reducing the drink driving limit

Introducing random breath alcohol testing for drivers