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Alcohol policy interventions in Scotland and England (APISE)

Funded by: Medical Research Council

Led by: Professor Gerard Hastings (The Open University Business School)

Open University Business School contact: Dr Fiona Harris

Background

The Alcohol Policy Interventions in Scotland and England study (APISE) is part of a multi-country collaborative project to assess the impact and effectiveness of alcohol control policies. The study design is modelled on the International Tobacco Control study. Longitudinal surveys of drinkers in participating countries together with analysis of the policy context allows for assessment of change over time within countries and comparison between countries. Funding has been secured from the MRC National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI) to enable collection of baseline data in Scotland and England and a follow-up 12 months later. Three linked stages of research include an audit of alcohol control strategies in each country, exploratory research with adult drinkers and a longitudinal survey.

The study is being led by researchers at the University of Stirling and is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, The Open University and the University of Wollongong.

Methods

The baseline survey, planned for late 2012, will recruit a cohort of 2000 adult drinkers in England and 2000 in Scotland. The cohort will be followed up 12 months later. The survey will be conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and will collect comprehensive consumption data, using a framework that is beverage and location specific to facilitate identification of impacts of policy change. Policy related measures are measures that are closely linked to a specific policy and therefore expected to be directly affected by the introduction of a particular policy. A range of policy related measures will be included in the study including for example affordability, which would be a key measure following the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP). APISE will provide comparison between Scotland and England where there is the potential for different alcohol policies to be introduced. APISE will also have an international dimension through collaboration with colleagues in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Thailand and South Korea who are planning analogous studies in their countries.

Research centre: Responsibility and Regulation (R&R)