title: Underage purchasing of alcohol from packaged liquor outlets: an Australian study.
abstract: Access to the supply of alcohol is an important factor influencing adolescent alcohol consumption. Although alcohol sales outlets are prohibited from selling alcohol to underage youth, there has been limited research investigating compliance. The present study sought to estimate the extent to which adolescents that appeared underage were successfully able to purchase alcohol from packaged liquor outlets in Australia; and to identify store and sales characteristics associated with illegal purchasing. In 2012, purchase surveys were conducted (n= 310) at packaged liquor outlets in 28 urban and rural communities across three states of Australia: Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria. Confederates successfully purchased alcohol at 60% (95% CI: 55-66) of outlets. The density of general alcohol outlets in the surrounding area and the type of liquor outlet were predictors of successful alcohol purchases; however, this was moderated by the state in which the purchase was made. Regional geographical location was also found to predict underage alcohol purchase. The majority of alcohol sales outlets in Australia breach regulations prohibiting sales to underage youth. Consistent enforcement of policies across the states of Australia, and reducing the number of alcohol outlets, will help prevent alcohol outlets illegally selling alcohol to underage adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Socialand Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Bosco C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
authors.forename: Jessica K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.|School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development and School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Toumbourou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D000066608:Underage Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: adolescence; alcohol; community-based intervention