Restricting alcohol availability in practice: evidence from selected countries

Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, an established carcinogen and psychoactive and toxic substance that can cause dependence, and they are associated with public health challenges. Policy measures that restrict alcohol availability have proven effective in reducing alcohol consumption, shaping consumption patterns and mitigating harm. This brief zooms into the policy measures applied in 30 countries. Results show that categorization of alcohol licensing is based on the types of outlets and alcohol sold. Countries commonly prohibit alcohol sales at some locations, such as educational premises, health facilities, houses of worship and sports sites. Fewer countries establish a minimum required distance between alcohol outlets and sensitive locations. Required distances ranged between 100 and 500 metres. Only one-third of countries regulate the days of sale, but more than 50% restrict the hours of sale. Licensing renewals were commonly set at one-year intervals. The most common minimum legal purchase age was 18 years. Alcohol remote sale and delivery were largely unregulated, with only a few countries requiring age verification at the point of sale or delivery. Fines were the penalty implemented most often. The brief shows how policy measures that restrict the availability of alcohol were applied to address public health concerns in specific contexts such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, Lithuania, Thailand, Uganda and Viet Nam. In all cases, coordinated, multisectoral approaches are needed to address the challenges of restricting alcohol availability. [Author's abstract]