Hours and Days of Sale and Density of Alcohol Outlets: Impacts on Alcohol Consumption and Damage: A Systematic Review
1 Public Health and Regulatory Policies, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
3 Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
* Corresponding author: 33 Russell Street, Toronto ON M5S 2S1, Canada. Tel: +1-416-535-8501 ext. 6895; Fax: +1-416-595-6899; E-mail: Norman_Giesbrecht{at}camh.net
Received 22 April 2009; first review notified 8 May 2009; in revised form 29 June 2009; accepted 6 August 2009
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Abstract |
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Aims: The aim of this study was to examine recent research studies published from 2000 to 2008 focusing on availability of alcohol: hours and days of sale and density of alcohol outlets. Methods: Systematic review. Results: Forty-four studies on density of alcohol outlets and 15 studies on hours and days of sale were identified through a systematic literature search. The majority of studies reviewed found that alcohol outlet density and hours and days of sale had an impact on one or more of the three main outcome variables, such as overall alcohol consumption, drinking patterns and damage from alcohol. Conclusions: Restricting availability of alcohol is an effective measure to prevent alcohol-attributable harm.