@article{ref1,
title="Alcohol to-go sales policies at on-premise drinking establishments near large public US universities during the COVID-19 pandemic",
journal="Alcohol and alcoholism",
year="2024",
author="Rosen, Erika M. and Walker, Andrew and Trangenstein, Pamela J. and LoParco, Cassidy R. and Livingston, Melvin D. and Barry, Adam E. and Rossheim, Matthew E.",
volume="59",
number="3",
pages="-",
abstract="AIMS: Sweeping policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic increased alcohol availability through permitted to-go sales, potentially posing unique risks to college students. While to-go sales may make binge drinking more convenient, little remains known about these practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether drinking establishments' to-go sales practices are associated with their other operational practices and state policy. <br><br>METHOD: This cross-sectional analysis included 221 randomly selected bars, nightclubs, and restaurants within two miles of a large public university. Telephone interviews assessed establishment practices, and the Alcohol Policy Information System provided state alcohol to-go laws. Regression models tested whether establishment to-go sales practices were associated with their business practices (logistic regression) and state policy (generalized estimating equations). <br><br>RESULTS: Nearly one-half (44.8%) of drinking establishments sold alcohol to-go. Establishments with higher vodka prices had nearly 30% higher odds of selling spirits to-go (aOR = 1.29) and establishments offering happy hours specials had more than twice the odds of selling beer (aOR = 2.22), wine (aOR = 2.53), and spirits to-go (aOR = 2.60). Additionally, establishments that implemented physical distance requirements had higher odds of selling wine to-go (aOR = 3.00). State to-go laws were associated with higher odds of selling wine (aOR = 3.99) and spirits to-go (aOR = 5.43) in the full sample and beer to-go (aOR = 4.92) in urban counties. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Establishments that sell alcohol to-go tend to engage in other practices designed to drive sales. Evaluations of alcohol to-go sales laws on risky consumption among priority populations, including college students, are urgently needed to inform decisions about how to appropriately regulate sales.  Keywords: Ethanol impaired driving <p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0735-0414",
doi="10.1093/alcalc/agae023",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agae023"
}