Authors: Foster, J. H.¹; Herring, R.²; Waller, S.¹; Thom, B.¹

Source: Journal of Substance Use, Volume 14, Number 2, April 2009 , pp. 113-123(11)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

The Licensing Act 2003 (covering England and Wales) introduced greater flexibility to the UK licensing laws, including the possibility of 24-h licenses. This paper reports a nation wide survey of 225 (63%) local authority chairs of licensing committees/senior members of licensing teams in England evaluating the short-term impact of the Act. A cumulative impact (saturation) area was only declared in 38 (17%) local authorities. Extended hours applications were more common than new applications in both on- and off-licensed premises. The perception of those surveyed was of 'no change' in the following alcohol-related variables; public noise levels (n = 133, 59%) violence and fights (n = 130, 60%), under-aged drinking (n = 143, 67%), crime (n = 141, 68%), and drink-driving (n = 157, 86%). Contrary to the picture often presented in certain parts of the mass-media, the impact of the Licensing Act appears to be neutral. However, these are likely to be the result of a number of intervening factors, rather than the change to a more liberalized licensing regime. The role of the police would seem to be fundamental. Future research will need to disentangle the impact of these intervening factors and it will be a number of years before the impact of these changes can be assessed.

Keywords: Alcohol Policy; Licensing; Harms; Evaluation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14659890802654532

Affiliations: 1: School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, London, UK 2: Centre for History in Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,

Publication date: 2009-04-01

More about this publication?

• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Terms & Conditions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry ,  Social & Public Welfare
• By this author: Foster, J. H. ;  Herring, R. ;  Waller, S. ;  Thom, B.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers