scholarly journals Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Giesbrecht ◽  
Ashley Wettlaufer ◽  
Stephanie Simpson ◽  
Nicole April ◽  
Mark Asbridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Policy And Strategy ◽  
Drinking Age ◽  
Canadian Provinces ◽  
The Ideal

Giesbrecht, N., Wettlaufer, A., Simpson, S., April, N., Asbridge, M., Cukier, S., Mann, R., McAllister, J., Murie, A., Pauley, C., Plamondon, L., Stockwell, T., Thomas, G., Thompson, K., & Vallance, K. (2016). Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Canada: A comparison of provincial policies. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 5(2), 33-45. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v5i2.221Aims: To compare Canadian provinces across 10 research-based alcohol policy and program dimensions.Design and Measures: The 10 Canadian provinces were assessed on the following 10 policy dimensions: alcohol pricing; alcohol control system; physical availability; drinking and driving; marketing and advertising; legal drinking age; screening, brief intervention, and referrals; server training, challenge, and refusal programs; provincial alcohol strategy; warning labels and signs. Data were collected from official documents, including provincial legislation, regulations, and policy, and strategy documents. Three international experts on alcohol policy contributed to refining the protocol. Provincial scores were independently determined by two team members along a 10-point scale for each dimension, and the scores were expressed as a percentage of the ideal. Weighting of dimensions according to scope of impact and effectiveness was applied to obtain the final scores. National and provincial scores were calculated for each dimension and consolidated into overall averages.Findings: Overall, the consolidated national mean is 47.2% of the ideal, with Ontario scoring highest at 55.9%, and Québec lowest at 36.2%. Across dimensions, Legal Drinking Age and Challenge and Refusal Programs scored highest at 75% and 61%, respectively, while Warning Labels and Signs scored lowest at 18% of the ideal. Pricing, rated third highest among dimensions at 57%, should nevertheless remain a priority for improvement, given it is weighted highest in terms of effectiveness and scope.Conclusions and Implications: Policy dimension scores vary among the provinces, with substantial room for improvement in all. Since spring 2013, several provinces have taken steps to implement specific alcohol policies. Concerted action involving multiple stakeholders and alcohol policies is required to reduce the burden of alcohol problems across Canada.

scholarly journals Special Issue on the Alcohol Policy 16 Conference: Building Blocks for Sound Alcohol Policies, April 3-5, 2013, Washington, DC

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Barbara Ryan
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Abuse

Ryan, B. (2015). Special Issue on the Alcohol Policy 16 Conference: Building Blocks for Sound Alcohol Policies, April 3-5, 2013, Washington, DC. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4(2), 95. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.210In 1981, the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse convened the first Alcohol Policy conference (AP1) in Charleston, to provide a forum where researchers, practitioners, and prevention advocates could discuss innovative policy approaches and research for preventing alcohol-related problems. Its director, Jerry McCord, used his position to organize AP1 to promote the careful consideration of alcohol policy issues from both a research and practitioner perspective at a time when few public officials were interested in pursuing alcohol control policies as a way to address—and reduce—societal alcohol problems.

Consumption Level and Cultural Drinking Patterns as Determinants of Alcohol Problems

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Mäkelä
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Moderate Drinking ◽  
Drinking Problems ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
The Impact

Sociologists, particularly in the United States, have devoted little attention to the impact of centrally directed alcohol policies on drinking problems. Sociocultural studies of religious and ethnic differences In drinking behavior appear to suggest that the liberalization of alcohol policies would favor the growth of moderate drinking patterns at the expense of excessive drinking. However, this “substitution hypothesis” receives less support in Scandinavian research on alcohol policy than does an alternative “addition hypothesis.” When policy controls on alcohol are relaxed, increases in moderate consumption occur in addition to and not at the expense of relatively stable patterns of heavy drinking.

Context and Variation in Employer Policies on Alcohol

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Staudenmeier
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Employee Assistance ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
The Relationship

The last decade has seen the widespread adoption by employers of occupational alcoholism programs designed to address the alcohol problems of employees. This innovative pattern of alcohol-related employer policy has received considerable attention in the scientific literature while other, traditional employer policies persist with relative inattention. This paper frames a broad perspective on employer alcohol policy by looking at four current patterns of policy: 1. Drinking on the Job, 2. Dry on the Job, 3. Employer Prohibition, and 4. Occupational Alcoholism Programs (including Employee Assistance Programs). The author explores the systematic variation among employers in their alcohol policies and emphasizes the relationship among alcohol-related culture, policy and practice. The existence of conflicting cultural positions on alcohol makes the United States an especially interesting case for this analysis.

scholarly journals How Attitudes toward Alcohol Policies Differ across European Countries: Evidence from the Standardized European Alcohol Survey (SEAS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Kilian ◽  
Jakob Manthey ◽  
Jacek Moskalewicz ◽  
Janusz Sieroslawski ◽  
Jürgen Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
Cluster Structure ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Long Run

Alcohol policy endorsements have changed over time, probably interacting with the implementation and effectiveness of alcohol policy measures. The Standardized European Alcohol Survey (SEAS) evaluated public opinion toward alcohol policies in 20 European locations (19 countries and one subnational region) in 2015 and 2016 (n = 32,641; 18–64 years). On the basis of the SEAS report, we investigated regional differences and individual characteristics related to categories of alcohol policy endorsement. Latent class analysis was used to replicate cluster structure from the SEAS report and to examine individual probabilities of endorsement. Hierarchical quasi-binomial regression models were run to analyze the relative importance of variables of interest (supranational region, gender, age, educational achievement, and drinking status) on class endorsement probability, with random intercepts for each location. The highest support for alcohol control policies was recorded in Northern countries, which was in contrast to the Eastern countries, where the lowest support for control policies was found. Across all locations, positive attitudes toward control policies were associated with the female gender, older age, and abstaining from alcohol. Our findings underline the need to communicate alcohol-related harm and the implications of alcohol control policies to the public in order to increase awareness and support for such policies in the long run.

scholarly journals New narratives, new narrators? Alcohol and alcohol policies in the Swedish press during the 1990s

2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-79
Author(s):  
Börje Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
The State ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Daily Press ◽  
Swedish Society ◽  
Alcohol Issue ◽  
The Individual

During the years around 1990, several policy and economic events occurred which had significant effects on the Swedish society. In this context, critique against the welfare state grew and the traditional roles of the state and the individual were challenged. The legitimacy and efficiency of Swedish alcohol policy was also called into question. The article describes and analyses how portrayals of alcohol, alcohol problems and alcohol policies have changed during the 1990s in the Swedish press. Despite the growth of media like television and the Internet, the daily press must still be considered an important source of information and also an active constructor of reality. The analysis is based on different samples of press articles during the studied period. Special attention is paid to different actors/narrators, their argumentation and how they perceive the individual and the state as legitimate actors and controllers of our drinking habits. The analysis shows that the dominant restrictive alcohol discourse, based on the total consumption model, public health perspectives and universal and restrictive alcohol policy measures, gradually has been challenged by a liberal discourse in which individual freedom, market liberalism and consumer perspectives are put forward as guiding principles for alcohol policies. A ‘sensible drinking’ perspective has seriously weakened the traditional perspective where alcohol- related problems have been situated as the legitimate foundation for policies. Finally, the ongoing redefinition of the alcohol issue also has made it possible for new narrators, for instance, business representatives, to take part in and significantly influence the alcohol discourse.

Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy: Lessons for Alcohol Control Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool"

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Severi
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Industry Engagement ◽  
Health Organization

Ralston et al present an analysis of policy actor responses to a draft World Health Organization (WHO) tool to prevent and manage conflicts of interest (COI) in nutrition policy. While the Ralston et al study is focussed explicitly on food and nutrition, the issues and concepts addressed are relevant also to alcohol policy debates and present an important opportunity for shared learning across unhealthy commodity industries in order to protect and improve population health. This commentary addresses the importance of understanding how alcohol policy actors – especially decision-makers – perceive COI in relation to alcohol industry engagement in policy. A better understanding of such perceptions may help to inform the development of guidelines to identify, manage and protect against risks associated with COI in alcohol policy.

Effects of Common Breaching Practices on the Overpressures Recorded Within the Stack

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Walilko
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Free Field ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Current Limit ◽  
Blast Exposure ◽  
Total Impulse ◽  
Training Exercises ◽  
Operational Impact ◽  
Current Exposure ◽  
The Ideal

The objective of this paper is to provide useful information to both military and law enforcement dynamic entry teams for estimating the level of protection provided by their standard protective equipment and procedures. The procedures investigated include: the K-Equation for predicting safe standoff, the effects of stack spacing, and the effect of the orientation of the stack within the blast field on the breachers’ blast exposure. This investigation leveraged both experimental data gathered during explosive breaching training exercises (Breacher Consortium, 2011 - draft) and numerical simulations using the shock physics code CTH (McGlaun, 1990). The analysis revealed that the presence of objects within the blast range, including the other team members, significantly affected the individual’s exposure to the point that it sometimes exceeds current exposure recommendations. When each team member’s exposure was compared to the current limit of 4 psi (28 kPa), the average pressure from the gauges on the breacher helmets exceeded that level 43% of the time, and the averaged pressure at the shoulders exceeded the limit 50% of the time. In a comparison of the measured incident impulse energy to the maximum impulse energy predicted based on 4 psi peak pressure, the helmet impulse energy was exceeded 79% of the time and 64% of the time at the shoulders. Because the K-Equation was shown to be accurate in predicting the free-field pressure, these results and the output from the numerical simulations suggest that the stack and blanket do not provide the level of protection anticipated and that reducing the standoff distance, as prescribed by some protocols, is not justified. Ultimately, the operational impact of these results will depend on efforts to identify blast exposure injury thresholds. Since there is a direct relationship between the peak overpressure and total impulse to which the breaching team members in the stack are exposed, injury thresholds must reveal which component, pressure, impulse or a combination is more injurious. Based on whether pressure or impulse must be minimized, the ideal stack configuration can be calculated using the developed numerical model.

scholarly journals Usability of existing alcohol survey data in South Africa: a qualitative analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e031560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayara Fontes Marx ◽  
Leslie London ◽  
Nadine Harker Burnhams ◽  
John Ataguba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
National Level ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Industry Data ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Alcohol Industry ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Control Survey

ObjectiveThis paper assesses the usability of existing alcohol survey data in South Africa (SA) by documenting the type of data available, identifying what possible analyses could be done using these existing datasets in SA and exploring limitations of the datasets.SettingsA desktop review and in-depth semistructured interviews were used to identify existing alcohol surveys in SA and assess their usability.ParticipantsWe interviewed 10 key researchers in alcohol policies and health economics in SA (four women and six men). It consisted of academic/researchers (n=6), government officials (n=3) and the alcohol industry (n=1).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe desktop review examined datasets for the level of the data, geographical coverage, the population surveyed, year of data collection, available covariables, analyses possible and limitations of the data. The 10 in-depth interviews with key researchers explored informant’s perspective on the usability of existing alcohol datasets in SA.ResultsIn SA, alcohol data constraints are mainly attributed to accessibility restrictions on survey data, limited geographical coverage, lack of systematic and standardised measurement of alcohol, infrequency of surveys and the lack of transparency and public availability of industry data on production, distribution and consumption.ConclusionThe International Alcohol Control survey or a similar framework survey focusing on substance abuse should be considered for implementation at the national level. Also, alcohol research data funded by the taxpayers’ money and alcohol industry data should be made publicly available.

Experiences of Slovak University students with on campus alcohol policy

Human Affairs ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Salonna ◽  
Natália Vendelová ◽  
Jozef Benka ◽  
Mária Bačíková
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
University Students ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
The Us ◽  
Key Questions

AbstractThe vast majority of studies focusing on alcohol consumption among university students are based on US and Canadian samples and employ a quantitative approach. Universities from the US and Canada also have a longer tradition in implementing alcohol policies. The alcohol policies at universities in Slovakia are mostly non-systematic and often not implemented in practice. The objective of this study was to explore Slovak university students’ experiences towards alcohol policy on their campuses using a qualitative approach. Eight focus group discussions were conducted among university students (n=64; 38 female; 2011; Slovakia). The key questions were (1) “Is there a policy concerning alcohol on your campus and what are the consequences of not complying with it?”, and (2) “How should an on-campus alcohol policy be developed and what should it include?” The students knew of few, if any, rules concerning alcohol. Student participation was considered important in policy development and implementation. Slovak universities should be more active in forming alcohol policies. A preventative policy which actively involves students was emphasized as optimal.

Righteousness or the right to drink? The debate on the ration book in Sweden and Finland during the 1950s

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-370
Author(s):  
Matti Peltonen
Keyword(s):  
Control Policy ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
The Political ◽  
Swedish Version ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Political Left ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Right ◽  
Political Right

Sweden and Finland reviewed their alcohol control policies in the 1950s at more or less the same time. Sweden abolished its ration book system and lifted restrictions on the sale of medium strength beer, Finland in turn revised its mechanisms for controlling the purchase of alcohol, a version of the Bratt system. In Sweden, alcohol consumption increased sharply and the number of drunkenness offences doubled. In Finland, by contrast, nothing happened. Why? History provides one possible source of explanation. The Swedish version of the Bratt system was much stricter (with monthly rations allocated on the basis of social class and sex) and therefore there was greater pressure towards a liberalisation of alcohol policy than was the case in Finland. During the war and in the post-war years Finland had a strong labour movement, which was keen to underline and demonstrate that the working class were in every respect decent and upright people. The debate that was touched off by the General Strike in 1956 is particularly interesting. On the political right, workers were frequently portrayed as heavy drinkers; the political left worked hard to fend off this propaganda attack. In this kind of atmosphere it was impossible to seriously call for a liberalisation of alcohol control policy in Finland.

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