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Evaluating the impact of the alcohol act on off‐trade alcohol sales: a natural experiment in S cotland
Author(s) -
Robinson Mark,
Geue Claudia,
Lewsey James,
Mackay Daniel,
McCartney Gerry,
Curnock Esther,
Beeston Clare
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.12701
Subject(s) - alcohol , legislation , alcohol advertising , medicine , population , alcohol consumption , natural experiment , demography , business , environmental health , poison control , injury prevention , political science , chemistry , law , biochemistry , pathology , sociology
Background and Aims A ban on multi‐buy discounts of off‐trade alcohol was introduced as part of the A lcohol A ct in S cotland in O ctober 2011. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this legislation on alcohol sales, which provide the best indicator of population consumption. Design, Setting and Participants Interrupted time–series regression was used to assess the impact of the A lcohol A ct on alcohol sales among off‐trade retailers in S cotland. Models accounted for underlying seasonal and secular trends and were adjusted for disposable income, alcohol prices and substitution effects. Data for off‐trade retailers in E ngland and W ales combined ( EW ) provided a control group. Measurements Weekly data on the volume of pure alcohol sold by off‐trade retailers in Scotland and EW between J anuary 2009 and S eptember 2012. Findings The introduction of the legislation was associated with a 2.6% (95% CI = −5.3 to 0.2%, P = 0.07) decrease in off‐trade alcohol sales in S cotland, but not in EW (−0.5%, 95% CI = −4.6 to 3.9%, P = 0.83). A statistically significant reduction was observed in S cotland when EW sales were adjusted for in the analysis (−1.7%, 95% CI = −3.1 to −0.3%, P = 0.02). The decline in S cotland was driven by reduced off‐trade sales of wine (−4.0%, 95% CI = −5.4 to −2.6%, P < 0.001) and pre‐mixed beverages (−8.5%, 95% CI = −12.7 to −4.1%, P < 0.001). There were no associated changes in other drink types in Scotland, or in sales of any drink type in EW . Conclusions The introduction of the A lcohol A ct in Scotland in 2011 was associated with a decrease in total off‐trade alcohol sales in S cotland, largely driven by reduced off‐trade wine sales.