A scale of formal alcohol control policy in 15 European countries

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 117-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Karlsson ◽  
Esa Österberg
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
High Alcohol ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
The One

Thomas Karlsson & Esa Österberg: A scale of formal alcohol control policy in 15 European countries As part of the alcohol control policy analysis of the ECAS project, this article reviews and discusses previous attempts to measure the strictness of alcohol control policies and to conduct a similar analysis in the ECAS countries. Based on the knowledge gathered from previous studies, we have created a scale of our own to measure the strictness of alcohol control policies and have applied it to the countries included in the ECAS project. The scales reviewed in this article and the scale we have constructed only measure the strictness of formal alcohol control. Drawing on the results of the ECAS scale, it seems that formal alcohol control in the EU member states has become stricter during the second half of the twentieth century. In the 1950s only three of the 15 countries were classified as having “high alcohol control”. In the year 2000 the number of high alcohol control countries had increased to six. The number of countries with low alcohol control had decreased from nine to zero between 1950 and 2000. Comparing the scores in the different countries or the average scores in all the ECAS countries over time is, however, problematic because the changes in these numbers reflect two different trends. On the one hand, there has been a decrease in the control of production and sales of alcoholic beverages or the regulation on alcohol availability. On the other hand, alcohol control measures targeted at demand or alcohol-related problems have become more prevalent. This means that alcohol control policies have become more similar in the ECAS countries in the second half of the twentieth century. Because of the limitations of the scale, however, we have to make certain reservations about the results and be very careful not to draw too far-reaching conclusions based solely on the results and rankings on the ECAS scale or any other scale for that matter. The scale and the results should therefore be considered as yet another attempt to quantify and rank alcohol control policies according to their strictness and not as an attempt to provide a perfect solution to a mission impossible.

scholarly journals The effects of favouring lower alcohol content beverages: Four examples from Finland

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esa Österberg
Keyword(s):  
Alcoholic Beverage ◽  
Price Policy ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Liquor Stores ◽  
Lower Alcohol ◽  
Identity Card

Aims This paper studies the possibility of substituting the consumption of one alcoholic beverage category for another by changing alcohol control measures. It examines four Finnish examples: the waiving in 1952 of the requirement to show a special identity card issued by the alcohol monopoly Alko for buying fortifed wines; again binding the sales of fortifed wines to Alko's identity card in 1958; a 1960s alcohol price policy favouring wines and beer over vodka; and the change in alcohol legislation in 1968, which allowed selling medium beer in grocery stores but left the off-premise sales of all stronger alcoholic beverages to Alko's liquor stores. Data Data on recorded consumption of alcoholic beverages in terms of 100 per cent alcohol per capita according to beverage categories will be used together with the numbers of arrests for drunkenness according to beverage categories as well as different data sources on changes in alcohol control measures. Results & Conclusions The four examples from Finland show that strong alcoholic beverages can be substituted for lighter drinks, but this seems to work especially when the lighter beverages can be used for the same purposes as the stronger ones. It is much more difficult to persuade consumers to substitute strong alcoholic beverages for light ones by changing relative alcohol availability or by adjusting prices, if the consumers also have to change their drinking habits by, for instance, substituting binging with vodka for drinking light wines with meals. The Finnish examples also make it clear that changing from one beverage category to another does not automatically result in changing the way to use alcoholic beverages or the drinking habits themselves.

scholarly journals Analysis of morbidity with poisonings with ethanol and surrogate alcohols in irkutsk region between 2010 and 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-44
Author(s):  
E. I. Loskutnikova ◽  
A. U. Gil ◽  
I. N. Alekhin ◽  
R. A. Khalfin
Keyword(s):  
Ethyl Alcohol ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Acute Poisoning ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Irkutsk Region ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Working Age

Aim. Poisonings with ethanol and surrogate alcohols are preventable causes of morbidity and mortality posing a serious threat to population health. The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of the incidence of acute poisoning with ethyl and surrogate alcohols in the Irkutsk region for the period from 2010 to 2017, and to discuss it in the context of the regional and federal policy aimed at regulation of the alcohol - containing products. Materials and methods. The data of the statistical reporting form No. 12-15 “Information on the results of toxicological monitoring” in the Irkutsk region for the period from 2010 to 2017, the data of the Federal State Statistics Service RosStat on the incidence of acute chemical poisoning, and on incidence of acute poisoning with ethyl alcohol and surrogate alcohols were analyzed. Subsequent interpretation of the results in the context of the regional and federal alcohol control policy has been performed. Results. In the Irkutsk region, during the analyzed period of time there was observed a high incidence of acute poisonings with ethanol and surrogate alcohols with territorial differences within the region, and with positive dynamics of reduction of incidence by 38.7% in 2017 in comparison to 2010. Poisonings with ethanol occupy a leading place in the structure of the incidence in comparison with poisoning with other alcohols. The Irkutsk region was ranked 9th among all other subjects of the Russian Federation in 2017 by level of morbidity with alcohol poisonings. Among all cases of poisonings the proportion of the adult working age population was 89.1%, males - 77%, and unemployed population - 57.8%, which suggests that these categories of population are under the highest risk of acute poisoning with ethanol and surrogate alcohols. Conclusion. Strengthening control over the illegal distribution of ethyl alcohol and alcohol - containing products, especially in the territories situated along the Federal highways is seen as a priority area for action. Control of distribution of alcohols between 2010 and 2017 on the territory of the Irkutsk region allowed reducing incidence of poisonings by 38.7%. To maintain the positive dynamics of reducing morbidity and mortality from acute poisoning of alcohol etiology, to preserve the labor potential of the population of the Irkutsk region, it is necessary to further strengthen and reinforce control measures at the regional level.

scholarly journals Alcohol Control Policy in Europe: Overview and Exemplary Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8162
Author(s):  
Nino Berdzuli ◽  
Carina Ferreira-Borges ◽  
Antoni Gual ◽  
Jürgen Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Alcohol Taxation ◽  
The Impact

Alcohol is a major risk factor for burden of disease. However, there are known effective and cost-effective alcohol control policies that could reduce this burden. Based on reviews, international documents, and contributions to this special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH), this article gives an overview of the implementation of such policies in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region, and of best practices. Overall, there is a great deal of variability in the policies implemented between countries, but two countries, the Russian Federation and Lithuania, have both recently implemented significant increases in alcohol taxation, imposed restrictions on alcohol availability, and imposed bans on the marketing and advertising of alcohol within short time spans. Both countries subsequently saw significant decreases in consumption and all-cause mortality. Adopting the alcohol control policies of these best-practice countries should be considered by other countries. Current challenges for all countries include cross-border shopping, the impact from recent internet-based marketing practices, and international treaties.

scholarly journals Trends and Social Differences in Alcohol Consumption during the Postcommunist Transition in Lithuania

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurate Klumbiene ◽  
Darius Kalasauskas ◽  
Janina Petkeviciene ◽  
Aurelijus Veryga ◽  
Edita Sakyte
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Regular Consumption ◽  
Postcommunist Transition ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Further Development

The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends and social differences in consumption of various types of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania over the postcommunist transition period (1994–2010). The data were obtained from nine nationally representative postal surveys of Lithuanian population aged 20–64 conducted every second year (n=17154). Prevalence of regular (at least once a week) consumption of beer, wine, or strong alcoholic beverages and the amount of alcohol consumed per week were examined. Regular beer drinking as well as the amounts consumed increased considerably in both genders. The increase in regular consumption of strong alcohol was found among women. Sociodemographic patterning of regular alcohol drinking was more evident in women than in men. In women, young age and high education were associated with frequent regular drinking of wine and beer. Social differences in regular alcohol drinking should be considered in further development of national alcohol control policy in Lithuania.

Toward a Comparative Analysis of State Alcohol-Control Systems: The Triadic Model

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lawrence Schrad
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Private Profit ◽  
Triadic Model

Given the particular dynamics associated with alcohol-control systems across national and temporal contexts, there exists a tremendous potential for studying alcohol-control systems in a comparative context. This can best be done by analyzing the interplay of the effects of particular alcohol-control measures on three sectors: public health and social order, private profit, and government revenue. The article develops a new, zero-sum model to facilitate such analysis by permitting a greater comparative analysis of alcohol-control systems in the abstract. A triadic model depicts the benefits to these three potential recipients of the state-regulated trade in alcoholic beverages and other controlled substances, and describes how particular initiatives may sway the balance toward or away from each of the players. The model has the potential to widen understanding of how legislation and social action affect the benefits of the alcohol trade in a controlled environment, and it may provide a useful framework for future research.

Alcohol Consumption by Older Adults in Central and Southern Japan

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumi Hirayama ◽  
Andy H. Lee ◽  
Colin W. Binns ◽  
Chikako Okumura ◽  
Sokatsu Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Southern Japan ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Japanese Older Adults

This study ascertained the level of alcohol intake and alcoholic beverages consumed by Japanese older adults. Persons aged 55 to 75 years residing in central and southern Japan were recruited and interviewed face-to-face on their habitual alcohol consumption. Among the 577 (359 men and 218 women) participants from 10 districts/prefectures, 60.5% (75.5% for men and 35.7% for women) regularly drank alcoholic beverages on at least a monthly basis. Beer was the most preferred beverage (45.2%), followed by shochu (19.8%) and sake (16.1%). The mean alcohol consumption was 22.2 g/day (95% confidence interval 19.3-25.2) overall, but drinkers had a much higher mean intake of 36.6 g/day (95% CI 32.4-40.8). Moreover, it is alarming that 25.5% of male drinkers were heavy drinkers consuming more than 60 g of alcohol on average per day. Alcohol control measures should be developed to curtail the excessive drinking by older adults.

scholarly journals The association between tobacco control policy implementation and country-level socioeconomic factors in 31 European countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariadna Feliu ◽  
Filippos T. Filippidis ◽  
Luk Joossens ◽  
Beladenta Amalia ◽  
Olena Tigova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Tobacco Control Policy ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies

AbstractEuropean countries have made significant progress in implementing tobacco control policies to reduce tobacco use; however, whether socioeconomic status (SES) of a country may influence the implementation of such policies is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the association between country-level SES and the implementation level of tobacco control policies in 31 European countries. An ecological study using data from Eurostat, Human Development Reports on several SES indicators and the Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) of 2016 was conducted to measure country-level tobacco control policies. We analysed the relationship between SES indicators and the TCS by means of scatter-plots and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (rsp) and multivariable linear regression analysis. In Europe, no statistically significant association was found between SES factors and the level of implementation of tobacco control policies. Only public spending on tobacco control was associated with all SES factors, except for Gini Index (an income inequality index). The strongest associations of TCS scores for this policy domain were found with the Human Development Index (rsp = 0.586; p < 0.001) and the Gross Domestic Product per capita (in Euros) (rsp = 0.562; p = 0.001). The adjusted linear regression model showed an association of tobacco control policy implementation with countries’ geographical location (Western Europe, β = − 15.7; p = 0.009, compared to Northern Europe). In conclusion, no association was found between SES factors and the level of implementation of tobacco control policies in 31 European countries; policymakers should be aware that tobacco control policies could be successfully implemented despite socioeconomic constraints, especially when these policies are of low cost and cost-effective (i.e., smoke-free bans and taxation).

Alcohol and Drug Control Policies in the Nordic Countries

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kettil Bruun ◽  
Pia Rosenqvist
Keyword(s):  
Control Policy ◽  
International Agreements ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Drug Control ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
Narcotics Policy ◽  
Similarities And Differences

In this paper, control policies refer to governmental strategies aimed at influencing the availability of alcohol and drugs. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of control policy which has also had an impact internationally. Central characteristics of the developement of the control of alcohol, narcotics and psychotropics are described. Attention is paid especially to similarities and differences between the Nordic countries. Denmark differs most from the other Nordic countries and the differences are clearest in alcohol control. In Finland, Norway and Sweden a tendency toward more stringent alcohol control has recently emerged after an era of liberalization in the 50's and 60's. Narcotics policy is characterized by support for existing international agreements regarding criminal-political measures. As to psychotropics, no clear-cut control policy has so far been developed.

An Alcohol Policy in the European Union?

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 264-267
Author(s):  
M.J. Van Iwaarden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
European Union ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The World

Although the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Europe ranks among the highest in the world, resulting in many social and public health problems, measures to create an EU level alcohol control policy are yet to be made. Alcoholic beverages are currently regarded mainly as one product among many other products and the related restrictions are, for the most part, market oriented. The Nordic Countries, the author argues, cannot therefore expect much from EU as regards alcohol policy. Rather, he concludes, it is the other way around. However, Article 129 of the Treaty of Maastricht could perhaps form the basis for a general EU health policy.

scholarly journals Alcohol control policies and alcohol consumption: an international comparison of 167 countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Madureira-Lima ◽  
Sandro Galea
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Random Coefficients ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
World Region ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Highly Correlated

BackgroundAlcohol control policy has a fundamental role in limiting negative health, economic and social harm caused by alcohol consumption. However, there is substantial international heterogeneity in country-level policy adoption, implementation and monitoring. Comparative measures so far focused on Europe or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.MethodsWe created an Alcohol Control Policy Index (ACPI) for 167 countries using five different methodological approaches. National policies were sourced from WHO’s Global Information System on Alcohol and Health. We assessed ACPI’s criterion-related validity by calculating the strength of the association among the different approaches. As for content validity, we tested whether the resulting scores explained variations in alcohol per capita consumption cross-nationally, controlling for gross domestic product, population age, urbanisation and world region using OLS and random coefficients models.ResultsIndex scores and ranks from different methodological approaches are highly correlated (r=0.99). Higher scores were associated with lower consumption across the five methods. For each 1 score increase in the ACPI, the reduction in per capita alcohol consumption varies from −0.024 L (95% CI (−0.043 to −0.004) to −0.014 L (95% CI (−0.034 to 0.005). We obtain larger coefficients and p values <0.005 when estimating random coefficients.ConclusionACPI offers a measure of alcohol control policy across countries that makes use of a larger number of countries than its predecessors, as well as a wider range of methodologies for its calculation, both of which contribute to its validity. Furthermore, it shows that the statutory strictness of alcohol control policies is associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption.

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