Time Trends and Policy Gaps: The Case of Alcohol Misuse Among Adolescents in Lebanon

Abstract

Background-Monitoring studies are crucial for informing and reforming local policies.

Validation of the AUDIT Scale and Factors Associated with Alcohol Use Disorder in Adolescents: Results of a National Lebanese Study

“…Our results showed that the prevalence of AUD risk among Lebanese adolescents was 28.0%, in line with other studies 25,75,76 . Besides the correlations with the psychological factors identified in this research, this proportion may also be related to the normalization of alcohol use, its broad availability, particularly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, the inaction of the government, in addition to existing indefinite policies regarding the illegal sale of alcohol to minors, low excise taxes on alcohol, poor regulatory framework for alcohol advertising and promotion, lack of effectively reported adverse effects of alcohol consumption, and the impact of friends and cousins on the young population 23 .…”

“…Due to the immense gaps in the laws and their implementation in Lebanon, there is an urgent need to define new and updated approaches to protect the youth, by raising awareness, setting a legal minimum drinking age 116 , and enforcing the laws 24 . Thus, an evidence-based national alcohol harm reduction plan is warranted 25 .…”

“…Indeed, alcohol policies are poorly implemented despite laws and regulations, dating back to the 1940s and 1960s, prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors 25 . As per these regulations, penalties and fines are as low as $ 4 for individuals promoting alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of eighteen, and $ 13 for owners and staff of bars, pubs, or other public places selling alcohol to minors, or making them drunk 25 . Also, alcoholic beverages in Lebanon are easily accessible and inexpensive 25 .…”

“…Nonetheless, few alcohol-related research among Arab and Lebanese adolescents could be gathered 2 . The results of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 28 in schoolchildren aged 13-17 years from 73 countries, including 16 in the Eastern Mediterranean region, showed that among those who drank alcohol, the majority had their first drink before the age of 14, and a substantial percentage got intoxicated at least once in their lifetime 2,28 .…”

“…Despite its known direct impact on overall health outcomes, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is pervasive and endemic among adolescents. It is thought to be a pediatric-onset condition (with one in twenty cases fighting with family or friends and skipping school, disclosing problems related to alcohol drinking) and requires early detection and screening to initiate the appropriate intervention the soonest 2,3 . For example, in 2011, 90% of European teenagers between 15 and 16 had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime 4 .…”