Unanticipated Consequences

Abstract

Among scholars, there is a discussion regarding whether types of places, or facilities, function as crime generators or whether the association between some categories of facilities and higher rates of offending is the result of a small proportion of all facilities within a given category, or problem places. This study seeks to further inform this debate by exploring whether policy changes that alter the social functioning of a category of facilities, specifically bars and taverns, modifies the spatial association with crime. Using routine activities theory as a framework, this study builds on previous research by exploring the association between alcohol-serving establishments and violent crimes, specifically assaults, following the implementation of a smoke-free law. Using data from a pair of adjoining communities in Iowa, findings indicate the frequency of reported assaults on blocks with bars as well as on adjoining blocks declined following the implementation of a law prohibiting smoking tobacco products within bars and taverns. Implications for policies and future research are discussed.

A systematic review of interventions that impact alcohol and other drug-related harms in licensed entertainment settings and outdoor music festivals

“…There were 28 studies evaluating stand-alone interventions that included the introduction of laws or liquor licensing regulations, such as one-way door policies, changes in trading hours, liquor sale restrictions, or risk-based licensing (RBL) schemes [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 83 , 87 , 88 , 91 – 93 , 98 , 104 , 108 , 112 , 115 , 116 , 119 , 122 , 125 , 129 , 130 , 135 , 139 , 141 ]. Of these studies, 22 were quantitative [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 83 , 87 , 88 , 91 , 93 , 98 , 104 , 108 , 112 , 116 , 122 , 125 , 129 , 130 , 135 ], 4 used mixed methods designs [ 57 , 92 , 116 , 119 ], and 2 were qualitative [ 139 , 141 ]. Of the 22 quantitative studies, 17 were rated as strong using the EPHPP [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 87 ,…”

“…Of these studies, 22 were quantitative [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 83 , 87 , 88 , 91 , 93 , 98 , 104 , 108 , 112 , 116 , 122 , 125 , 129 , 130 , 135 ], 4 used mixed methods designs [ 57 , 92 , 116 , 119 ], and 2 were qualitative [ 139 , 141 ]. Of the 22 quantitative studies, 17 were rated as strong using the EPHPP [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 87 , 91 , 93 , 98 , 104 , 108 , 112 , 122 , 125 , 135 ], 4 were rated as moderate [ 83 , 88 , 129 , 130 ], and 1 was rated as weak [ 115 ]. Three of the four mixed methods studies were given a moderate EPHPP rating [ 92 , 116 , 119 ], and one was rated weak [ 57 ].…”

“…Three of the four mixed methods studies were given a moderate EPHPP rating [ 92 , 116 , 119 ], and one was rated weak [ 57 ]. Eleven studies reported on health outcomes [ 25 , 53 , 54 , 57 , 64 , 67 , 81 , 104 , 119 , 135 , 141 ], 18 studies reported on criminal justice outcomes (particularly assaults) [ 25 , 56 , 57 , 87 , 88 , 91 – 93 , 98 , 108 , 112 , 115 , 116 , 119 , 122 , 125 , 129 , 139 ], and 4 studies reported on behavioral outcomes [ 83 , 116 , 130 , 139 ]. Additional studies examined the effectiveness of some of the stand-alone interventions listed above as part of multicomponent interventions in Sydney, Newcastle and Queensland, Australia; see multicomponent interventions sub-Sects. "…”

“…Of these studies, 22 were quantitative [25,53,54,56,64,67,81,83,87,88,91,93,98,104,108,112,116,122,125,129,130,135], 4 used mixed methods designs [57,92,116,119], and 2 were qualitative [139,141]. Of the 22 quantitative studies, 17 were rated as strong using the EPHPP [25,53,54,56,64,67,81,87,91,93,98,104,108,112,122,125,135], 4 were rated as moderate [83,88,129,130], and 1 was rated as weak…”

“…Five studies described various impacts of smoking bans in licensed venues, including four strong-rated quantitative studies from the USA [54,56,93,135] and one fair rated observational study from Scotland [139]. Young-Wolff and colleagues [135] reported the only positive health outcome, with higher likelihood of alcohol use disorder remission following the introduction of a ban [135].…”