Do responsible beverage service programs reduce breath alcohol concentration among patrons: a five-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the decrease in the mean breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) and the rowdy social atmosphere reported after one month remained stable in the five-month assessment.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University bars.


METHODS
The five-month assessment was based on 596 students visiting student bars during ordinary pub evenings.


METHODS
Bartenders (n = 40) in 6 of 12 bars on a university campus underwent training programs in a randomized pattern. Bartenders in control bars did not participate in the program.


METHODS
The BrAC and reported social atmosphere in a five-month follow-up assessment.


RESULTS
All measurements (BrAC, rowdy, cozy, and high social atmosphere) showed that time had a significant decreasing effect. The positive effects on BrAC and rowdy atmosphere shown in the one-month follow-up were no longer evident after five months.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive results after one month were not stable after five months. The study's limitations are noted.
Johnsson
Kent O
KO
Clinical Alcohol Research, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. kent.johnsson@med.lu.se
Berglund
Mats
M
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001944:Breath Tests; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012147:Restaurants; D012931:Social Environment; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013548:Sweden; D014495:Universities