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Pre-drinking behaviour of people in the night-time economy: Evidence from a street-intercept survey in New Zealand
journal contribution
posted on 2022-05-01, 00:00 authored by M P Cameron, Peter MillerPeter Miller, M RoskrugeIntroduction: Pre-drinking behaviour has grown in prevalence and generates harm for pre-drinkers and others. In this article, we answer three research questions: (i) Where and when do pre-drinkers obtain their alcohol?; (ii) What is the difference in the level of intoxication of pre-drinkers versus non-pre-drinkers, and how does this difference vary over the course of a night?; and (iii) Is the level of intoxication of pre-drinkers related to where and when they obtain their alcohol?. Methods: We obtained data from 469 respondents using a street-intercept survey conducted in Hamilton, New Zealand in 2019. Data were analysed by cross-tabulation, linear regression and plotting the average intoxication level in the night-time economy over time. Results: The majority of pre-drinkers purchase their alcohol for pre-drinking on the day of consumption. Half of the same-day purchasers purchase before 6 pm. The average level of intoxication increases over the course of the night, and is unambiguously higher for pre-drinkers than non-pre-drinkers. The level of intoxication does not differ based on the source or timing of pre-drinking purchases. The main motivation for pre-drinking was price, especially among women. Discussion and Conclusions: Pre-drinking is a contributor to intoxication in the night-time economy, but most drinkers purchase their alcohol for pre-drinking before 7 pm. Further research is required to understand whether trading hours restrictions for off-premises alcohol suppliers will affect the most harmful drinking patterns. Price interventions to reduce the price differential between on-licenced and off-licence alcohol outlets offer the greatest potential to reduce pre-drinking and associated harm.
History
Journal
Drug and Alcohol ReviewVolume
41Issue
4Pagination
787 - 794Publisher
WileyLocation
London, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0959-5236eISSN
1465-3362Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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