Karen Schelleman-Offermans1, Ruud T J Roodbeen2, Paul H H M Lemmens3. 1. Nuchter, Centre for Research on Age Restrictions, Kerkenbos 1033, 6546 BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, The Netherlands. Electronic address: karen@nuchter.nl. 2. Nuchter, Centre for Research on Age Restrictions, Kerkenbos 1033, 6546 BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As of January 2014, the Dutch minimum legal age for the sale and purchase of all alcoholic beverages has increased from 16 to 18 years of age. The effectiveness of a minimum legal age policy in controlling the availability of alcohol for adolescents depends on the extent to which this minimum legal age is complied with in the field. The main aim of the current study is to investigate, for a country with a West-European drinking culture, whether raising the minimum legal age for the sale of alcohol has influenced compliance rates among Dutch alcohol vendors. METHODS: A total of 1770 alcohol purchase attempts by 15-year-old mystery shoppers were conducted in three independent Dutch representative samples of on- and off-premise alcohol outlets in 2013 (T0), 2014 (T1), and 2016 (T2). The effect of the policy change was estimated controlling for gender and age of the vendor. RESULTS: Mean alcohol sellers' compliance rates significantly increased for 15-year-olds from 46.5% before to 55.7% one year and to 73.9% two years after the policy change. Two years after the policy change, alcohol vendors were up to 3 times more likely to comply with the alcohol age limit policy. CONCLUSION: After the policy change, mean alcohol compliance rates significantly increased when 15-year-olds attempted to purchase alcohol, an effect which seems to increase over time. Nevertheless, a rise in the compliance rate was already present in the years preceding the introduction of the new minimum legal age. This perhaps signifies a process in which a lowering in the general acceptability of juvenile drinking already started before the increased minimum legal age was introduced and alcohol vendors might have been anticipating this formal legal change.
BACKGROUND: As of January 2014, the Dutch minimum legal age for the sale and purchase of all alcoholic beverages has increased from 16 to 18 years of age. The effectiveness of a minimum legal age policy in controlling the availability of alcohol for adolescents depends on the extent to which this minimum legal age is complied with in the field. The main aim of the current study is to investigate, for a country with a West-European drinking culture, whether raising the minimum legal age for the sale of alcohol has influenced compliance rates among Dutch alcohol vendors. METHODS: A total of 1770 alcohol purchase attempts by 15-year-old mystery shoppers were conducted in three independent Dutch representative samples of on- and off-premise alcohol outlets in 2013 (T0), 2014 (T1), and 2016 (T2). The effect of the policy change was estimated controlling for gender and age of the vendor. RESULTS: Mean alcohol sellers' compliance rates significantly increased for 15-year-olds from 46.5% before to 55.7% one year and to 73.9% two years after the policy change. Two years after the policy change, alcohol vendors were up to 3 times more likely to comply with the alcohol age limit policy. CONCLUSION: After the policy change, mean alcohol compliance rates significantly increased when 15-year-olds attempted to purchase alcohol, an effect which seems to increase over time. Nevertheless, a rise in the compliance rate was already present in the years preceding the introduction of the new minimum legal age. This perhaps signifies a process in which a lowering in the general acceptability of juvenile drinking already started before the increased minimum legal age was introduced and alcohol vendors might have been anticipating this formal legal change.
Authors: Adam J Milam; C Debra M Furr-Holden; Elizabeth D Nesoff; Pamela J Trangenstein Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2021-03 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Ruud T J Roodbeen; Rachel I Dijkstra; Karen Schelleman-Offermans; Roland Friele; Dike van de Mheen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-19 Impact factor: 3.390