resources
research
There are a number of policy-level strategies that have a strong evidence-base of effectiveness that should be considered when addressing alcohol misuse and related harms. This page describes the most researched strategies and provides resources for you to learn more.
The use of licensing or zoning laws allows states and communities to regulate the number of alcohol outlets in a given area. There is significant research showing that the more alcohol outlets, the greater the harms. This applies to both on-premise outlets (such as bars and restaurants) and off-premise outlets (such as grocery stores and liquor stores).
Campbell, C. A., Hahn, R. A., Elder, R., Brewer, R., Chattopadhyay, S., Fielding, J., Naimi, T. S., Toomey, T., Lawrence, B., Middleton, J. C., & Task Force on Community Preventive Services (2009).
The effectiveness of limiting alcohol outlet density as a means of reducing excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms. American journal of preventive medicine, 37(6), 556–569.
Hahn, R. A., Kuzara, J. L., Elder, R., Brewer, R., Chattopadhyay, S., Fielding, J., ... & Task Force on Community Preventive Services. (2010).
Effectiveness of policies restricting hours of alcohol sales in preventing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. American journal of preventive medicine, 39(6), 590-604.
Research shows that as the price of alcohol increases, consumption and related harms decrease. For example, the amount of liquor consumed would decrease by 7.9% with every 10% increase in price, and the amount of beer consumption would decrease by 5% with every 10% increase in price. Excise taxes can be implemented by the state or federal government, or both. Increasing the price of alcohol also significantly reduced consumption and harms among underage populations. Note: this has been identified as one of the World Health Organization’s three “best buys,” a designation given to policy options that are highly cost effective, feasible, and culturally acceptable to implement.
Elder, R. W., Lawrence, B., Ferguson, A., Naimi, T. S., Brewer, R. D., Chattopadhyay, S. K., ... & Task Force on Community Preventive Services. (2010).
The effectiveness of tax policy interventions for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. American journal of preventive medicine, 38(2), 217-229.
