Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Classifying Alcohol Control Policies with Respect to Expected Changes in Consumption and Alcohol-Attributable Harm: The Example of Lithuania

Version 1 : Received: 15 January 2021 / Approved: 18 January 2021 / Online: 18 January 2021 (15:09:10 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Rehm, J.; Štelemėkas, M.; Ferreira-Borges, C.; Jiang, H.; Lange, S.; Neufeld, M.; Room, R.; Casswell, S.; Tran, A.; Manthey, J. Classifying Alcohol Control Policies with Respect to Expected Changes in Consumption and Alcohol-Attributable Harm: The Example of Lithuania, 2000–2019. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2419. Rehm, J.; Štelemėkas, M.; Ferreira-Borges, C.; Jiang, H.; Lange, S.; Neufeld, M.; Room, R.; Casswell, S.; Tran, A.; Manthey, J. Classifying Alcohol Control Policies with Respect to Expected Changes in Consumption and Alcohol-Attributable Harm: The Example of Lithuania, 2000–2019. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2419.

Abstract

Given the high levels of overall volume of alcohol use, detrimental drinking patterns, and high levels of alcohol-attributable mortality and burden of disease, Lithuania implemented a series of alcohol control policies within a relatively short period of time (2008 to 2019). Based on their expected impact on alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable harm, as well as their target population, the respective policies were classified using a set of objective criteria and expert opin-ion. The classification criteria included: positive vs. negative outcomes, mainly immediate versus delayed outcomes, and general population versus specific group outcomes. The judgement of the alcohol policy experts converged on the objective criteria, and, as a result, two tiers of inter-vention were identified: Tier 1 – general population interventions with an anticipated immediate impact; Tier 2 – other interventions aimed at the general population. In addition, interventions for specific populations were identified. This adaptable methodological approach to alcohol control policy classification is intended to provide guidance and support the evaluation of alcohol policies elsewhere, lay the foundation for the critical assessment of the respective policies to im-prove health and increase life expectancy, and to reduce crime and violence.

Keywords

alcohol control policy; best buys, classification; evaluation; taxation; availability; marketing; Lithuania

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Immunology and Allergy

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