Matthias Wicki1, Gerhard Gmel. 1. Research Institute of Addiction Info Switzerland, case postale 870, CH - 1001 Lausanne, Switzerland. mwicki@addiction-info.ch
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In February, 2005, the canton of Geneva in Switzerland prohibited the off-premise sale of alcoholic beverages between 9 pm and 7 am, and banned their sale in gas stations and video stores. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of this policy change on hospital admission rates for alcoholic intoxication. METHODS: An interrupted time series analysis of this natural experiment was performed with data on hospitalisations for acute alcoholic intoxication during the 2002-2007 period. The canton of Geneva was treated as the experimental group, while all other Swiss cantons were used as the control group. RESULTS: In the experimental site, the policy change was found to have a significant effect on admission rates among adolescents and young adults. Depending on the age group, hospitalisation rates for alcoholic intoxication fell by an estimated 25-40% as the result of restricted alcohol availability. CONCLUSIONS: Modest restrictions on opening hours and the density of off-premise outlets were found to be of relevance for public health in the canton of Geneva. In light of this finding, policy makers should consider such action as a promising approach to alcohol prevention.
BACKGROUND: In February, 2005, the canton of Geneva in Switzerland prohibited the off-premise sale of alcoholic beverages between 9 pm and 7 am, and banned their sale in gas stations and video stores. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of this policy change on hospital admission rates for alcoholic intoxication. METHODS: An interrupted time series analysis of this natural experiment was performed with data on hospitalisations for acute alcoholic intoxication during the 2002-2007 period. The canton of Geneva was treated as the experimental group, while all other Swiss cantons were used as the control group. RESULTS: In the experimental site, the policy change was found to have a significant effect on admission rates among adolescents and young adults. Depending on the age group, hospitalisation rates for alcoholic intoxication fell by an estimated 25-40% as the result of restricted alcohol availability. CONCLUSIONS: Modest restrictions on opening hours and the density of off-premise outlets were found to be of relevance for public health in the canton of Geneva. In light of this finding, policy makers should consider such action as a promising approach to alcohol prevention.
Authors: Nazarius M Tumwesigye; Lynn Atuyambe; Rhoda K Wanyenze; Simon Ps Kibira; Qing Li; Fred Wabwire-Mangen; Glenn Wagner Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-12-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Gaile Gray-Phillip; Taisia Huckle; Sarah Callinan; Charles D H Parry; Surasak Chaiyasong; Pham Viet Cuong; Anne-Marie Mackintosh; Petra Meier; Elena Kazantseva; Marina Piazza; Karl Parker; Sally Casswell Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2018-03-26