1. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies PHE Evidence Review 31st January 2017

2. In 2014, the Public Health Minister asked PHE to “provide advice about possible evidence- based solutions to reduce the public health impact of alcohol, guided by the best and latest scientific evidence”
One of PHE’s roles is to provide evidence to help inform policy at both a national and local level.
The Department of Health formally commissioned us to “review the evidence and provide advice on the public health impacts of alcohol and possible evidence-based solutions.”
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies
Provisional Recommendations for the Alcohol Report to Government

3. Global policy framework
ENVIRONMENT
INDIVIDUALS
TAXATION AND PRICE REGULATION
BRIEF INTERVENTIONS AND TREATMENT
REGULATING MARKETING
REGULATING AVAILABILITY
The brief was to critically appraise existing research to review the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol policies. We looked at 271 reviews and primary studies relevant to the English context.
Three key factors influence alcohol consumption, namely its price (affordability), how easy it is to purchase (availability), and the social norms around its consumption (acceptability).
An extensive array of policies exist which can reduce the public health burden of alcohol. This review evaluates the effectiveness and cost- effectiveness of each of these policy approaches:
We looked at seven key policy areas those which effect the enviroment in which alcohol is brought and sold and interventions targeted at those at risk or experiencing harm.
In total we looked at 41 different policies
MANAGING DRINKING ENVIRONMENTS
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
PREVENTING DRINK-DRIVING
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

4. Taxation and price regulation
- increase tax
PRICE REGULATION
- minimum prices
Affordability
Consumption
Harm
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

5. - voluntary codes of conduct (self-regulatory)
Regulating marketing
Marketing increases risk that children will initiate drinking and drink greater quantities in those who already drink
REGULATE EXPOSURE
REGULATE CONTENT
Can be embedded by:
- law (statutory)
- voluntary codes of conduct (self-regulatory)
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

6. research is emerging for chronic health harms
Regulating availability
Increased availability is associated with increased violence and social disorder,
research is emerging for chronic health harms
RETAIL-LEVEL AVAILABILITY
density of premises
hours and days of sale
PRODUCTION-LEVEL AVAILABILITY
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

7. Providing information and education
Public awareness is low, consumers have a right to be informed
Mass media campaigns
Labelling (awareness not behaviour)
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

8. Managing the drinking environment
Aims to reduce violence, disorder, and intoxication
ON-TRADE INTERVENTIONS
- server liability
OFF-TRADE INTERVENTIONS
ON AND OFF-TRADE INTERVENTIONS
- multi-component community programmes
PHE Evidence Review of Alcohol Control Policies

9. Brief interventions and treatment
Many people drink above the lower-risk guidelines or in a way that is considered dependent
Identification and brief advice
- primary health care
TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
Psychological or psychosocial
Pharmacological
Alcohol and Public Health: Advice to Government

10. Reducing drink-driving
Increased alcohol consumption = increased risk of injury and fatality
NON-STATUTORY APPROACHES
- mass media campaigns
STATUTORY APPROACHES
- lower the legal limit
- lower limit for young drivers
- enforcement
- penalty
REDUCING REOFFENDING
- ignition interlocks
Alcohol and Public Health: Advice to Government

11. Conclusion
“Overall, there is a rich evidence base to support the decisions of policy makers in implementing the most effective and cost- effective policies to reduce alcohol-related harm”
Alcohol and Public Health: Advice to Government