Living and working in proximity to alcohol outlets and problem drinking: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Background Problem drinking causes burden for healthcare and society. No prior study has investigated the association between proximity of alcohol outlets to workplace and problem drinking. We assessed longitudinal associations of living and working in proximity to alcohol outlets with problem drinking. Methods Data comprised of employed respondents of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health between 2012 and 2018. Road distances from home and from workplace addresses to the nearest liquor outlet, beer outlet, and bar were provided by Statistics Sweden. Self-reported problem drinking was assessed using modified Cut-Annoyed-Guilty-Eye questions. Within-individual analyses (N = 777) applied conditional logistic regression where each individual served as his/her case and control at two different time points. Between-individual analyses (N = 13306) applied binomial logistic regression with generalized estimating equation. Covariates were (age and sex for between-individual models), occupational position, civil status, chronic disease, work strain, and home/workplace neighborhood socioeconomic status. Results Within-individuals, the odds ratio for being a problem drinker was 3.42 (95 % CI, 1.41-8.27) and 2.99 (1.11-8.05) per each successive halving of the distance from work to beer outlets and bars, respectively. No within-individual associations were observed for proximity of outlets to home. Between-individuals, halving of distance from home to liquor outlet [1.06 (1.01-1.12)] and to bar [1.07 (1.00-1.16)] was associated with problem drinking. For distance from work, estimates were similar but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions These findings suggest that alcohol outlet proximity to one's workplace could be a determinant of alcohol consumption behavior. Reducing the number of on- and off-premises alcohol outlets, even those that only sell beer, could reduce the level of harmful alcohol consumption. Key messages Alcohol outlet proximity to one’s workplace could be an additional determinant of alcohol consumption behavior. Reducing the number of on- and off-premises alcohol outlets, even those that only sell beer, could reduce the level of harmful alcohol consumption.