Table 2 Ratings of policy-relevant strategies and interventions
From: Australian alcohol policy 2001–2013 and implications for public health
Strategy or intervention | Effectiveness | Research [**] support | Australian implementation and research notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing and Taxation | |||
Alcohol Taxes | ++ | ++ | Three national taxes (Excise, WET, GST). Research suggests that increasing taxes reduces alcohol consumption and harms – especially so in a strictly volumetric taxation system. |
Bans on Price Discounts/Promotions | ? | + | Variable by state/territory. Current research evidence is highly contextual |
Differential Price by Beverage | + | + | Taxation-based. Research suggests taxes on high-alcohol content beverages can shift consumption to lower-alcohol content options |
Special/Additional Taxation | + | + | ‘Alcopop’ tax. Research suggests higher alcopop prices can reduce consumption without complete substitution, but unclear impact on harms. |
Minimum Price | ? | + | In development. Limited evidence of effectiveness. |
Regulating physical availability | |||
Ban on Sales | +++ | +++ | Bans limited to particular high-risk areas. Research suggests bans can lead to substantial harm and consumption reductions. |
Minimum Legal Purchase Age | +++ | +++ | 18 years of age throughout Australia. Research suggests that enforcement can substantially increase effectiveness. |
Hours and Days of Sale Restrictions | ++ | ++ | Variable by state/territory. Research suggests effectiveness is tied to whether availability is meaningfully restricted (especially during high-risk times). |
Restrictions on Density of Outlets | ++ | +++ | Licensing in all states/territories, but form varies. Research has consistently demonstrated link between outlet density and alcohol-related harms. |
Ban on Drinking in Public Places | ? | + | Variable by state/territory. Research suggests such bans may displace but not reduce harms. |
Modifying the drinking environment | |||
Staff Training in Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) | 0/+ | +++ | Required in all states/territories, but who is required to have RSA varies. |
Server Liability | ++ | ++ | Servers liable in all states/territories, but penalties vary. Research suggests effectiveness is increased with awareness. |
Voluntary Codes of Bar Practice | 0 | + | Voluntary accords agreed locally. Research suggests ineffectiveness when completely voluntary. |
Late-Night Lockouts of Licensed Premises | ? | + | Highly variable in terms of adoption and form by state/territory. Limited research available. |
Enhanced Enforcement of On-Premises Laws | ++ | ++ | Enforcement highly variable. Research suggests effectiveness of most initiatives depend on strength of enforcement, yet research suggests police target individuals more than establishments. |
Drink-driving countermeasures | |||
Random Breath Testing | +++ | ++ | Used throughout Australia. Research suggests effectiveness tied to consistency and publicity. |
Lowered BAC Limits | +++ | +++ | <.05 throughout Australia. Research suggests lower BACs lead to higher rates of effectiveness. |
Administrative Licence Suspension | ++ | ++ | Immediate suspension occurs throughout Australia, but threshold for suspension varies by state/territory. Research suggests effectiveness is tied to immediacy and consistency. |
Low Blood Alcohol Content for Young Drivers | +++ | ++ | Zero tolerance for learner or provisional drivers – additional measures vary by state/territory. Research suggests especially effective for those below legal drinking age. |
Graduate Licensing for Novice Drivers | ++ | ++ | Occurs throughout Australia and permits lower BAC for young drivers. |
Designated Drivers and Ride Services | 0 | + | Voluntary and variable across states/territories. Research suggest may encourage higher rates of consumption by passengers and has no impact on rates of alcohol-related road accidents. |
Severity of Punishment | 0/+ | ++ | Punishment for drink driving variable by state/territory. Limited evidence of effectiveness in reducing alcohol-related road accidents. |
Restrictions on marketing | |||
Legal Restrictions on Exposure | + | +++ | Alcohol advertisements can only be shown in M, MA and AV classification periods. Research suggests dose–response effect for young drinkers, but small effect on per-capita levels of consumption. |
Alcohol Industry Voluntary Self-Regulation Codes | 0 | ++ | Self-regulatory code implemented, funded, and administered by alcohol industry. Research repeatedly suggests ineffectiveness and repeated evidence of code breaches. |
Education and persuasion | |||
Classroom Education | 0 | +++ | Drug and alcohol education incorporated into all state/territory curricula, in variable forms. Research suggests little long-term effects on drinking behaviours. |
Mass Media Campaigns | 0 | +++ | Extensive resources committed to ongoing mass media campaigns. Research suggests little evidence of impact on consumption levels. |
Warning labels/signs | 0 | + | Imminent on voluntary basis, ongoing discussion around whether to legally require. Research suggests labels create little change in drinking behaviours. |
Treatment and early intervention | |||
Brief Intervention with At-Risk Drinkers | + | +++ | Sporadic use and often tied to workplace programmes. Research suggests that these measures can be effective. |
Mutual Help/Self-Help Attendance | ++ | ++ | Various mutual-help programmes (e.g., AA) throughout Australia. |
Mandatory Treatment of Repeat Drink-Drivers | + | ++ | Currently limited to trialling of alcohol interlocks in some states/territories. Research suggests time-limited effects. |
Medical/Social Detoxification | + | ++ | Sobering-up centres used in Australia, which focus on short-term harm reduction. Research suggests short-term benefits but limited effect on long-term consumption unless combined with other treatment options. |