Access to alcohol outlets and harmful alcohol consumption: a multi-level study in Melbourne, Australia

Addiction. 2011 Oct;106(10):1772-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03510.x. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Abstract

Aims: To assess the association between access to off-premises alcohol outlets and harmful alcohol consumption.

Design, setting and participants: Multi-level study of 2334 adults aged 18-75 years from 49 census collector districts (the smallest spatial unit in Australia at the time of survey) in metropolitan Melbourne.

Measurements: Alcohol outlet density was defined as the number of outlets within a 1-km road network of respondents' homes and proximity was the shortest road network distance to the closest outlet from their home. Using multi-level logistic regression we estimated the association between outlet density and proximity and four measures of harmful alcohol consumption: drinking at levels associated with short-term harm at least weekly and monthly; drinking at levels associated with long-term harm and frequency of consumption.

Findings: Density of alcohol outlets was associated with increased risk of drinking alcohol at levels associated with harm. The strongest association was for short-term harm at least weekly [odds ratio (OR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.16]. When density was fitted as a categorical variable, the highest risk of drinking at levels associated with short-term harm was when there were eight or more outlets (short-term harm weekly: OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.22-4.54 and short-term harm monthly: OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.07-3.04). We found no evidence to support an association between proximity and harmful alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: The number of off-premises alcohol outlets in a locality is associated with the level of harmful alcohol consumption in that area. Reducing the number of off-premises alcohol outlets could reduce levels of harmful alcohol consumption.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / economics
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholic Beverages / supply & distribution*
  • Commerce / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilevel Analysis
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Victoria / epidemiology
  • Young Adult