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Research Article
Tshewang Gyeltshen
Tsirang Hospital
Corresponding Author
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Alcohol use is a major public health problem in Bhutan. Compliance with regulations at point of sales is an important strategy in alcohol control. Retail outlets were briefed on sales regulations and provided notification with rules and directed to display in the premises. The extent to which licensed alcohol outlets responded to possible alcohol purchase was assessed through the use of young proxy‐purchasers, adults feigning alcohol intoxicated and sober adults. A total of 854 visits (pre versus post visits) were made across four district towns. Two towns (Damphu town in Tsirang district and Pema Gatshel town in Pema Gatshel district) received pre- and post-intervention purchase surveys while other two neighboring towns (Khuruthang town in Punakha and Bajo town in Wangdue) were administered only baseline surveys.
Results: Retailers rarely checked the age and/or identification (ID) of the proxy‐purchasers before the intervention. There was 22.7% (8.6, 37) percent increase in compliance with laws after the intervention. While some strategies are suggested, the strongest and most effective measure to prevent under‐age drinking and over service to intoxicated, more rigorous enforcement of existing liquor laws are required.
Conclusion: Alcohol control requires ongoing government enforcements supplemented by public awareness and knowledge.
Keywords
Alcohol, Bhutan, Compliance, proxy purchase
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No competing interests reported.
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Received 29 Mar, 2021
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On 21 Mar, 2021
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Public Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Tshewang Gyeltshen
Tsirang Hospital
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 10 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 29 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 21 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 21 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 18 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 18 Mar, 2021
Editor invited
On 18 Mar, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 18 Mar, 2021
First submitted
On 07 Mar, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Alcohol use is a major public health problem in Bhutan. Compliance with regulations at point of sales is an important strategy in alcohol control. Retail outlets were briefed on sales regulations and provided notification with rules and directed to display in the premises. The extent to which licensed alcohol outlets responded to possible alcohol purchase was assessed through the use of young proxy‐purchasers, adults feigning alcohol intoxicated and sober adults. A total of 854 visits (pre versus post visits) were made across four district towns. Two towns (Damphu town in Tsirang district and Pema Gatshel town in Pema Gatshel district) received pre- and post-intervention purchase surveys while other two neighboring towns (Khuruthang town in Punakha and Bajo town in Wangdue) were administered only baseline surveys.
Results: Retailers rarely checked the age and/or identification (ID) of the proxy‐purchasers before the intervention. There was 22.7% (8.6, 37) percent increase in compliance with laws after the intervention. While some strategies are suggested, the strongest and most effective measure to prevent under‐age drinking and over service to intoxicated, more rigorous enforcement of existing liquor laws are required.
Conclusion: Alcohol control requires ongoing government enforcements supplemented by public awareness and knowledge.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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