A time series analysis of presentations to Queensland health facilities for alcohol-related conditions, following the increase in 'alcopops' tax. (August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kisely, Steve; Crowe, Elizabeth; Lawrence, David; White, Angela; Connor, Jason
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 21:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 383
• Page End: 388
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Subjects: alcohol consumption -- alcohol tax -- alcopops -- behaviour modification -- drinking risk -- emergency department -- hospital admissions -- Queensland -- youth; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856213486307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objective: In response to concerns about the health consequences of high-risk drinking by young people, the Australian Government increased the tax on pre-mixed alcoholic beverages ('alcopops') favoured by this demographic. We measured changes in admissions for alcohol-related harm to health throughout Queensland, before and after the tax increase in April 2008. Methods: We used data from the Queensland Trauma Register, Hospitals Admitted Patients Data Collection, and the Emergency Department Information System to calculate alcohol-related admission rates per 100, 000 people, for 15 – 29 year-olds. We analysed data over 3 years (April 2006 – April 2009), using interrupted time-series analyses. This covered 2 years before, and 1 year after, the tax increase. We investigated both mental and behavioural consequences (via F10 codes), and intentional/unintentional injuries (S and T codes). Results: We fitted an auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, to test for any changes following the increased tax. There was no decrease in alcohol-related admissions in 15 – 29 year-olds. We found similar results for males and females, as well as definitions of alcohol-related harms that were narrow (F10 codes only) and broad (F10, S and T codes). Conclusions: The increased tax on 'alcopops' was not associated with any reduction in hospital admissions for alcohol-related harms in Queensland 15 – 29 year-olds.