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Off-licence density linked to alcohol harm in under-18s

www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

20 November 2011

The study One on every corner finds that, excluding London, on average a 2:1 relationship exists between the number off-licences per 100,000 of population and hospital admissions by underage drinkers for alcohol specific admissions such as alcohol poisoning or intoxication. For every two off-licences per 100,000 of population there was one under-18 year old per 100,000 of population being admitted to hospital due to drinking according to the analysis, meaning that on average in areas with a higher concentration of off-licences, there are higher numbers of young people going to hospital as a result of drinking.

Statistical analysis, undertaken by Dr Nikki Coghill at University of West of England, uncovered a moderate but statistically significant relationship across England, excluding London. London has consistently lower levels of consumption than the England average, likely explained by the greater ethnic demographic mix. The findings also suggest that nearly 10% of all alcohol specific hospital admissions for under-18s in England, excluding London, are directly attributable to the concentration of off-licences in a local area. Of the 19,367 children and young people admitted to hospital for alcohol specific reasons between 2006 and 2009, over 1,900 of these admissions could therefore be directly attributable to the number of off-licenses in the young persons area.