1. Law of Alcohol Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers
2nd European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies
PAPER SESSION 1: Alcohol – informing prevention and policy
Elsa Lavado, Lúcia Dias, Ludmila Carapinha, Vasco Calado
SICAD Serviço de Intervenção nos Comportamentos Aditivos e nas Dependências
|TELEF: |
Lisbon, 24 October 2017

2. The research team works in the Portuguese governmental organization dedicated to the monitoring and intervention in addictive behaviours: General – Directorate for the Intervention in Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies

3. Objectives
In April of 2013, the Decree-Law 50/2013 changed the legal minimum age for spirituous beverages use, acquisition and possession from 16 to 18 and established that SICAD would do a study in a year and a half in order to evaluate the effects of this legislative change, namely among young people.
limitations
legal imposition
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

4. Objectives
The study consists in a triangulation of direct and indirect indicators collected with the purpose of analyzing the implementation of the Decree-Law, with special attention to young people’s, and teenagers in particular, alcohol use patterns
Decree-Law 50/2013: “a study (…) to assess alcohol use patterns by young people
in general and by adolescents in particular... "
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

5. Triangulation of direct and indirect indicators
CNPCJR
(National Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People at Risk)
ANSR /INMLCF
(National Road Safety Authority/ National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences)
INE
(Statistics Portugal)
ARS/SICAD
(Regional Health Administrations/ SICAD)
Triangulation of direct and indirect indicators
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

6. direct indicators (studies considered)
Social Representations of Alcohol. Survey on the Young Population Present at Rock in Rio – Lisbon 2014
Consumption, Representations and Perceptions of New Psychoactive Substances among University Students, 2014
The Health of Portuguese Adolescents - National Data for 2014/ Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC)
Youth, Alcohol, and Law
Alcohol and the Law:
Commercial Establishment Professionals
Triangulation of direct and indirect indicators
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

7. Commercial Establishment Professionals
Sample
Mixed studies: qualitative and quantitative
Target Population: young people and professionals of commercial establishments
5 cities: Lisboa, Porto, Coimbra, Évora, Faro
Alcohol and the Law:
Commercial Establishment Professionals
Youth, Alcohol, and Law
professionals of commercial establishments:
coffeehouses, bars, nightclubs, supermarkets, caravans and
petrol stations
Survey: N=98
Interviews: N=25
young people:
10-24 years old
Survey: N=1051
Interviews: N=25
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

8. Results
young people
Lack of information of existing legislation and a diffuse notion of recent legislative changes
Despite some control practices, the law was not always respected: underage could get access to alcoholic beverages, namely in bars, discos and coffeehouses, using different avoidance strategies
Young people approve the implement of some restrictive measures on access to alcohol, such as increasing the legal age limits, or lowering the drivers’ maximum legal BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
To have fun is the main motivation for alcohol use, although the need to meet social and peer pressures is also important
There is a clear perception of the risk associated with alcohol use, but this does not prevent some excesses and harmful behaviors.
Devaluation of risks for oneself / overvaluation of others’ drinking patterns
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

9. Results professionals of comercial establishments
There is a perception of general difficulty in complying with the law in terms of the legal age limits.
Main reasons cited:
▪ difficulties in identifying the drinkers’ age
▪ the strategies adopted by underage in connivance with young adults
▪ lack of enforcement
▪ lack of knowledge of the law
▪ commercial interests
Knowledge of the law: there is a training deficit, according to commercial shops professionals, although they have recently received information
Law enforcement: perception of inefficiency
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

10. Changing alcohol use patterns Less associated problems
Results
spirit of the law not internalized
(supply and demand)
Knowledge of the law and legislative changes
poor interiorization
Changes in availability and perceived accessibility
not verified
legislative change has not resulted in lower youth consumption or a reduction in associated problems (particularly in adolescents)
Changing alcohol use patterns
not verified
Less associated problems
Social norms favorable to the consumption of alcoholic beverages
Perception of law enforcement
slightly effective
enforcement is seen as ineffective by young people and professionals
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

11. Recommendations implement more restrictive measures
in particular regarding access to alcohol by underage, with the express approval of young people and professionals in commercial establishments
reinforcing and investing in preventive and dissuasive strategies for early consumption and harmful consumption
especially targeting recreational setting and professionals of establishments, in order to increase and guarantee the internalization of risk perceptions
to monitor legislative changes with information and publicity campaigns
young people, professionals and parents, in order to promote the knowledge and internalization of what’s stipulated by law and its application
privileging / investing in risk reduction and harm minimization strategies in nightlife contexts
namely targeting young people who are starting to drink alcoholic beverages
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

12. Recommendations
to guarantee the increase and the visibility of inspection actions in commercial establishments selling alcoholic beverages
namely related to the issue of the purchase of alcohol by underage (due to its specificity, it is worth noting the need for greater supervision with supermarkets and hypermarkets)
make a serious educational investment in the accountability of all the actors
on the assumption that it is the change of mentalities that leads to the change of the behaviors
to create favorable conditions for the identification card application
to become an internalized and compulsory practice in case of doubt of the age or state of the client's drunkenness
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

13. New legislation
Increase legal minimum age to for ALL alcoholic beverages
«This study [from SICAD] shows that, in terms of the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages to underage in public places, there is still a high level of risk and excess consumption, among the younger population. Indeed, it has been observed that there were no relevant changes in the pattern of consumption of alcoholic beverages by young people in the year following the entry into force of the mentioned legislative changes, either in terms of the type of drinks consumed or in terms of harmful use»
Decree-Law 106/2015, June 16th
Law of Alcohol. Two sides of the coin: consumers and retailers

14. Thank you for your attention
Research Team
Coordination: Carla Ribeiro
Elsa Lavado, Lúcia Dias, Ludmila Carapinha, Vasco Calado
The research team wishes to thank to:
- To all the young people who agreed to
collaborate in this work, making their time and
experience available
- Colleagues from SICAD
Thank you for your attention