Table 2 Eleven mechanisms through which individuals might modify policy effects post-implementation. Our survey provided preliminary data on these mechanisms, focused on how changes to tobacco and/or alcohol policy might have linked effects on tobacco and alcohol consumption. The mechanisms in this table are based on our analysis of the data from our survey and workshop. We show the distribution of mechanisms across policy themes that was suggested by our data

Maintain behaviour

Individuals do not change their consumption behaviour despite being exposed to the effect of the policy.

x

x

x

x

x

Removal of constraints on other consumption

Individuals reduce consumption and in doing so increase their opportunity to consume other products e.g. by gaining disposable income or by moving drinking to locations where smoking is permitted.

x

x

x

x

x

Replacement with other consumption

Individuals reduce consumption but replace it with increased consumption of other products e.g. people in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction might smoke more or eat sweets.

x

x

x

x

x

Removal of triggers to consume other products

Individuals reduce consumption and in doing so disrupt the automatic relationship between behaviours e.g. drunkenness as a trigger for smoking.

x

x

x

x

x

Amplify policy effects by social contagion

Individuals amplify policy effects by influencing the consumption behaviour of others (social contagion) e.g. by reducing the peer-pressure that others feel to consume in certain ways.

x

x

x

x

x

Spatial avoidance of policy effects

Individuals change the source of their purchase or the location of their consumption e.g. relocating consumption to the home.

x

x

x

Adapt by compensating

Individuals increase their intensity of consumption e.g. smoke ‘harder’ or ‘pre-load’ on alcohol before a night out.

x

x

Change individual determinants of multiple behaviours

Individuals change multiple aspects of their behaviour because these behaviours are underpinned by a common aspect of individual variation that the policy has changed e.g. the motivation to be healthier or mental health problems.

x

x

Fiscal avoidance of policy effects

Individuals ‘trade-down’ to a cheaper brand or source of purchase e.g. due to an increase in sales price.

x

Adapt by foregoing

Individuals reduce their spending on other items to help maintain consumption e.g. prioritise spending on alcohol over food.

x

Disruption of context for multiple behaviours

Individuals change multiple aspects of their behaviour because the policy has removed a key aspect of a multi-faceted context in which consumption normally occurs e.g. occasions for which smoking and drinking are integral.

x