Journal article
Surveying Alcohol Outlet Density in Four Neighborhoods of Beirut Lebanon: Implications for Future Research and National Policy
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.15(9), p.2006
09/14/2018
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15092006
PMCID: PMC6164322
PMID: 30223460
Abstract
Underage drinking among youth in Lebanon is increasing. Regulating availability is one of the best buy policies recommended by the World Health Organization. To quantitatively document the current status of alcohol availability to youth in Lebanon, we used GPS technology to survey alcohol outlet density in four highly populated neighborhoods in Beirut, Lebanon, and to estimate their proximity to educational institutions. The density of alcohol outlets ranged from 18.30 to 80.95 per km² (average of 39.6 alcohol outlets/km²). The highest number of total alcohol outlets was in the "Hamra & Jamiaa" area, which includes one of the largest private universities in the country. Thirteen out of 109 (12%) alcohol outlets (on and off-premise) were located less 100 m away from educational institutions, in violation of the current licensing law. None of the off-premise and the majority (94%) of on-premise alcohol outlets displayed the "no sale for <18" sign. Findings were indicative of an environment conducive to increased access and availability of alcohol among youth in Lebanon probably attributed to the prevailing weak alcohol policies and their enforcement. Systematic collection and reporting of alcohol outlet densities is critical to understand the alcogenic environment and guide local harm reduction policies.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Surveying Alcohol Outlet Density in Four Neighborhoods of Beirut Lebanon: Implications for Future Research and National Policy
- Creators
- Rima Nakkash - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. rn06@aub.edu.lbLilian A Ghandour - Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. lg01@aub.edu.lbSirine Anouti - Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. sa228@aub.edu.lbJessika Nicolas - Department of Geology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. jtn04@mail.aub.eduAli Chalak - Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. ac22@aub.edu.lbNasser Yassin - Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon. ny05@aub.edu.lbRima Afifi - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. rema-afifi@uiowa.edu
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.15(9), p.2006
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph15092006
- PMID
- 30223460
- PMCID
- PMC6164322
- NLM abbreviation
- Int J Environ Res Public Health
- ISSN
- 1661-7827
- eISSN
- 1660-4601
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100007204, name: International Development Research Centre, award: 107201-001
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/14/2018
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984214817102771
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