Assessing the impact of Queensland's late‐night alcohol restrictions using health system data

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. In an attempt to reduce alcohol-related harm in night-time entertainment precincts, the Queensland state government (Australia) introduced the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence strategy in July 2016, including restrictions on late-night service of alcohol and-later-compulsory ID scanners at venues. In this article, we examined the impact of these changes on emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm. Design and Methods. We used data on ED presentations (July 2009-June 2019) and hospital admissions (July 2009-December 2018). Interrupted time series models using seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average methods were developed to test the impact of the policy change on presentations for alcohol intoxication, any injury or maxillofacial fractures, and admissions for rates of assault-related injuries or maxillofacial fractures. Analyses were conducted using state-wide Queensland data with a sub-analysis focussing on major Brisbane hospitals. Results. The introduction of 3 am last drinks and mandatory ID scanners had no significant impact on most outcome measures, either across the state or within Brisbane. State-wide, there was a significant decline in ED injury presentations following the introduction of mandatory ID scanners. Discussion and Conclusions. The introduction of the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence strategy in Queensland Safe Night Precincts was potentially associated with a small reduction in injury presentations to EDs. The lack of other impacts may relate to the relative lack of specificity in health system data, which challenges in the implementation of the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence policies or other local factors.

Addressing alcohol-related harms in the local night-time economy: a qualitative process evaluation from a complex systems perspective

“…The IAS’s judgement on the LNL is premature in the absence of an impact evaluation that examines a range of health, social and economic outcomes. The Queensland Alcohol-related violence and Night-Time Economy (QUANTEM) project provides an example of how such a study could be conducted, using multiple data sources to measure impacts on alcohol-related health and social harms and local economies 17–24. Furthermore, the ExILEnS study and research stemming from the NIHR School for Public Health Research alcohol programme demonstrate how impacts of local alcohol policies have been evaluated in UK contexts 13 15 16 25.…”

“…The Queensland Alcohol-related violence and Night-Time Economy (QUANTEM) project provides an example of how such a study could be conducted, using multiple data sources to measure impacts on alcohol-related health and social harms and local economies. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Furthermore, the ExILEnS study and research stemming from the NIHR School for Public Health Research alcohol programme demonstrate how impacts of local alcohol policies have been evaluated in UK contexts. 13 15 16 25 A well-theorised, robust impact evaluation of the LNL is overdue.…”

“…For example, much of the evidence came from a narrow range of countries (particularly Australia and the USA) raising concerns about wider generalisablity and few studies examined effects of changing temporal alcohol availability (hours of sale, including opening and closing hours). A number of studies from the UK and elsewhere have evaluated local-level regulation of alcohol availability and NTEs 1 13–24. In England, changes to alcohol licensing systems that included new discretionary powers for local authorities (LAs) have been the focus of recent and ongoing research 13–16 25…”

Sydney ‘lockout’ liquor licensing law restrictions have been associated with a sustained reduction in emergency department presentations from assaults over 5 years

“…in these venues, and restricting the trading hours of off-licence businesses selling alcoholic beverages. [4][5][6] In 2008, New South Wales' second largest city Newcastle implemented restrictions on the opening hours of licensed venues and the sale of alcohol 'shots' that was associated with a 34% reduction in the number of assaults in that city over a period of 18 months, with a sustained reduction in these incidents observed for 5 years. 7,8 The City of Ballarat (Australia) in 2003 introduced 'lockout' restrictions preventing patrons from entering licensed premises after 03.00 hours.…”

“…3 Governments in multiple jurisdictions in Australia, New Zealand and other countries have implemented a range of different regulatory measures in efforts to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related assaults and interpersonal violence in the community. [4][5][6] These have included restrictions on the opening hours of licensed venues serving alcohol, restricting the times where entry and re-entry of patrons is permitted, limiting the times that alcohol can be served within these premises, restricting the types of alcoholic beverages available for sale Correspondence: Dr Anthony J Chambers, Department of General Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia. Email: anthony.chambers@svha.org.au James W Deacon, MD, Resident Medical Officer; Paul Preisz, MBBS, FACEM, Emergency Physician; Anthony J Chambers, MS, FRACS, General and Trauma Surgeon.…”