A mapping review of evaluations of alcohol policy restrictions targeting alcohol-related harm in night-time entertainment precincts

Abstract

Background: Alcohol-related harm in night-time entertainment precincts (NEPs) is disproportionately high for the amount of alcohol consumed within these areas. Previous evaluations of alcohol restrictions targeting NEPs have often looked at restrictions in isolation and not attempted to create a comprehensive theoretical explanation that takes multiple restrictions into account. The aim of this review is to establish which restrictions have been adequately evaluated in previous literature, and to identify any research which may provide the basis for a theoretical model that explains the interactions between different alcohol restrictions in NEPs and their combined impact on alcohol-related-harm Methods: A mapping review was conducted to plot evaluations of the effectiveness of different alcohol restrictions in NEPs at reducing assault and injury rates (protocol PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017069773). Six databases and 145 websites were searched, results were categorised based on the type of restrictions evaluated: Outlet density, trading hours, lockouts, price, patron bans, and drinks restrictions. Results: Forty-eight articles were identified out of 20,743 returned by the systematic search. Thirty-five of these papers were original works, and 13 reviews. Outlet density was examined in 15 of the papers, trading hours in 30, lockouts in 21, price in 2, patron bans in 7 and drinks restrictions in 15. Conclusion: No preexisting theoretical models were identified. Outlet density, trading hours, and price restrictions all had evidence that suggested high levels of effectiveness in NEPs and would be suitable for inclusion in a theoretical model. More research is required before attempting to include lockouts, patron bans and drinks restrictions in a theoretical model. Future research should focus on establishing a theoretical model based on evidence of effective alcohol restrictions and gathering an evidence base for under-researched restrictions.

The Impact of Liquor Restrictions on Serious Assaults across Queensland, Australia

“…Many interventions have tried to directly target consumption of various ‘high-risk liquors’ (e.g., shots, mixed liquor with more than 30 mL of alcohol, ready mixed liquor with over five percent alcohol, or over four alcoholic beverages to a single patron past 22:00; [11]). However, empirical evidence of the effectiveness of these alcohol restrictions is lacking [12]. One particular alcohol restriction that has become popular among policy makers despite a lack of empirical evidence [12] is the ban of shots after a certain time of night (e.g., 22:00 [11,13], 00:00 [14,15], 1:00 [16], or 4:00 [17]).…”

“…However, empirical evidence of the effectiveness of these alcohol restrictions is lacking [12]. One particular alcohol restriction that has become popular among policy makers despite a lack of empirical evidence [12] is the ban of shots after a certain time of night (e.g., 22:00 [11,13], 00:00 [14,15], 1:00 [16], or 4:00 [17]). The popularity of this approach is likely owing to its simplicity in both implementation [11], and its apparent face validity, as it gives the appearance of addressing the problem [12].…”

“…Previously, liquor restrictions have been introduced as one part of a package of interventions rather than on their own [12,18,19]. Because of this, it has been difficult to interpret the unique impact of the restrictions, or to determine whether it is independently effective at reducing alcohol-related harm.…”

“…However, the introduction of liquor sales restrictions alongside a trading hours restriction limits the ability for researchers to evaluate the unique impact of each intervention. Importantly, any decrease in alcohol-related harm due to liquor restrictions would likely be masked due to the well-established and large impact trading hours restrictions have on alcohol-related harm in NEPs [12]. As such, any change in alcohol-related harm in an area where both liquor and trading hours restrictions were implemented would likely be attributed to changes in trading hours.…”

“…Liquor restrictions are becoming a part of the night-time environment, yet there is limited evidence to guide researchers and policy makers about their role in reducing alcohol-related harm [12]. This study aimed to explore the relationship between a 00:00 liquor restriction and alcohol-related harm by examining its impact on serious assault numbers during high-alcohol hours (HAH, 20:00–6:00 Friday and Saturday night; [22]) in the two years following the introduction of the TAFV policy.…”