Is alcopop consumption in Switzerland associated with riskier drinking patterns and more alcohol‐related problems?

Abstract

Objectives To examine (a) whether consumers of alcopops compared to consumers of other alcoholic beverages but not alcopops have riskier drinking patterns and more alcohol-related consequences (e.g. truancy, scuffles, problems with parents) and (b) whether the amount of alcopops consumed is associated independently with risky drinking patterns and alcohol-related consequences over and above those associated with the amount of other alcoholic beverages consumed. Sample As part of the ESPAD international study, a cross-sectional national representative sample of 5444 drinkers aged 13-16 years was interviewed by means of an anonymous, self-report questionnaire administered in a classroom setting. Results Earlier initiation of consumption, more frequent risky single occasion drinking (RSOD), and a higher likelihood of negative consequences for consumers than for non-consumers of alcopops were due mainly to higher overall consumption. Other alcoholic beverages had similar effects, and whether the same amount of alcohol was consumed as alcopops or as any conventional alcoholic beverage made no difference. Conclusions Alcopops in Switzerland do not seem to be linked to specific riskier drinking patterns or consequences per se . Like all alcoholic beverages, they add to the problems caused by drinking and seem to be consumed in addition to conventional alcoholic beverages without replacing them. As the alcohol industry will continue to launch new beverages, prevention targeting alcohol consumption in general might be more effective than focusing on new beverages only.

Unawareness of Alcoholic Content of Alcopops among 13-Year Old Italian Teenagers

“…Conversely, several studies found that evidence of an association between alcopops consumption and higher risks of negative consequences in adolescents is scarce [11,28,29,[38][39][40][41]. The results of the present study confirm that these beverages are particularly appealing to young people as more than 60% of the students reported that they have drunk alcopops [9,11,42].…”

The Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI): A Comparison of Cut-Points in First Nations Mi’kmaq and Non-Aboriginal Adolescents in Rural Nova Scotia

“…For categories expressed in numerical ranges, the midpoints of categories were used. To calculate continuous values for the upper and lower anchors of age and income, the value that corresponded to half the range of the numerical value included in the anchor to the midpoint of the adjacent category was added to each anchor(Wicki et al 2006). Therefore, the upper and lower anchors for age were 13.5 and 18.5 and for income were $21,250 and $73,750.…”

Addiction research centres and the nurturing of creativity: The Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems. Past, present and future

“…Some of the major research contributions made by SIPA in the last 5 years include publications from GenACIS (e.g. the 2006 special issue of Alcohol and Alcoholism [16]), ESPAD [17,18], the taxation project [22,24], the HBSC study [3,4,25], the binge drinking project [26] and the Global Burden of Disease study [19,20]. SIPA also crafts myriad press releases, brochures and other public information resources every year.…”

“…SIPA was also the data bank management centre of the Global Alcohol Database from 2001 to 2003 [15] and of the Gender Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GenACIS), from 2002 to the present day [16]. Together with the Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction in Zurich, SIPA conducted the first European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) for Switzerland in 2003 [17,18] and participated in the Global Burden of Disease study [19,20]. Today, substance use research continues to be an important part of SIPA's activities and its Charter states that research should be the cornerstone of prevention efforts.…”

“…Last, but not least, it is our hope to improve our ability to react quickly to emerging phenomena, such as the introduction of fashionable drinks [17], changes in national or local tax systems and legislation (e.g. the ban on underage tobacco sales [23]) and local drinking events.…”