Adolescents’ experiences and perceived (dis)advantages of the three main outlet types for alcohol purchases

Abstract

Based on the existing literature, relevant determinants of availability for on-premises locations, off-premises locations, and the Internet were qualitatively explored and categorized by "experts" consisting of underage alcohol purchasers. In total, 14 focus group discussions were conducted with 94 Dutch adolescents. For on-premises locations, the high prices were perceived as the biggest disadvantage, and the ease to circumvent legal age limits as the biggest advantage. For off-premises locations, the cheap pricing was perceived as the most positive aspect, and the legal age limit as the biggest disadvantage. For online purchases, the waiting time was perceived as the most negative aspect, and the proximity of online stores as the biggest advantage.

Exploring the influence of local alcohol availability on drinking norms and practices: A qualitative scoping review

“…Store location was an important factor for adolescents and young adults in Australia when choosing where to buy alcohol [ 35 ]. According to teenagers in a study in the Netherlands [ 36 ], proximity to off‐premise outlets provided an opportunity for spontaneous purchase of alcohol. The easy access to alcohol among university students on a campus in Denmark was also mentioned as participants could buy alcohol in the canteen and from vending machines [ 37 ].…”

“…Facilitators for alcohol purchases, such as convenience, price and lack of ID checks, appeared relevant to both mixed‐retail and alcohol‐only shops. One study compared participants' preferences and found that adolescents in the Netherlands chose grocery stores over alcohol‐only shops, because of perceived lower prices of alcohol products [ 36 ]. However, mixed‐retailers might increase alcohol exposure to vulnerable groups who use the shop for other purchases.…”

“…The social availability of alcohol (i.e., availability of alcohol through other people) [ 36 ] may create permissive drinking environments for adolescents. Secondary supply of alcohol to young people (i.e., asking strangers or friends and family) and familiarity with vendors who are willing to sell alcohol to adolescents were reported practices among undergraduate students in the Netherlands [ 36 ], native youth living on tribal land in the United States [ 60 ] and adolescents in Spain [ 59 ], England [ 32 ], Estonia [ 41 ] and China [ 61 ]. Townshend [ 32 ] found that this was a problem in both cities and towns.…”

“…Underage sales of alcohol were reported in several studies across different countries. Adolescents from culturally diverse populations referred to the ease of purchasing alcohol without age‐validation from on‐premise locations in South Africa [ 38 ], the Netherlands [ 36 ] and Lebanon [ 48 ]. However, Townshend [ 32 ] found little evidence of underage drinking in pubs or clubs among adolescents in England.…”

“…While young people in the Netherlands perceived age validation practices to be stricter at off‐premise outlets (compared to on‐premise) [ 36 , 61 ], adolescents in Spain, Australia and Lebannon reported purchasing alcoholic drinks in supermarkets or shops without being asked to prove their age [ 35 , 48 , 59 ]. Similarly, Lee et al [ 60 ] found that laws prohibiting sales to minors were not always upheld in rural reservation areas in Southern California, USA.…”