The impact of changes to alcohol policy on patron drinking behaviours in Queensland.
Drug Alcohol Rev
; 40(5): 728-737, 2021 07.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34015155
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
On 1 July 2016, stage 1 of the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence (TAFV) policy was introduced in Queensland, Australia and included restricted alcohol service to 0300 in dedicated entertainment precincts (safe night precincts or SNPs). During stage 2 (from 1 February 2017), the number of extended trading permits (i.e. trading until 0500) per venue were reduced; and during stage 3 (from 1 July 2017), networked identification scanners were mandated for late-night venues. We aim to examine whether patron drinking behaviours in two key SNPs changed significantly following stages 2 and 3.METHODS:
The study design was repeated cross-sectional, with three data collection (policy) stages. Patrons street surveys were conducted in Fortitude Valley (n = 2066) and Cairns (n = 1021) SNPs between July 2016 and November 2018. Linear or negative binomial regressions were conducted to examine changes in three keyoutcomes:
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading, proportion of pre-drinkers and number of pre-drinks.RESULTS:
We found no significant difference in BAC reading, proportion of pre-drinkers or number of pre-drinks at stages 2 and 3 of the policy compared to baseline in Fortitude Valley. In Cairns, we found significant reductions in patron BAC at stage 3 of the policy, and female BAC at stages 2 and 3 compared to baseline; while the proportion of females pre-drinking significantly reduced by half in stage 2. DISCUSSION ANDCONCLUSIONS:
Despite evidence of some reductions in alcohol consumption, high levels of intoxication remain, suggesting harm reduction may be more difficult to achieve in these drinkers.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Alcoholic Intoxication
/
Blood Alcohol Content
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Drug Alcohol Rev
Journal subject:
TRANSTORNOS RELACIONADOS COM SUBSTANCIAS
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia