(This resource corresponds to Module 2.)

Communities can take important steps toward reducing alcohol consumption by reducing the number of stores and restaurants that are allowed to sell or serve alcohol. In recent years, local zoning and land-use ordinances have become popular methods for restricting the availability of alcohol:¹

• Restrict the density of alcohol outlets. Local communities have substantial power to create zoning laws that determine where alcohol outlets are allowed to set up shop and how close they are allowed to be to one another. Research shows that neighborhoods with a higher density of alcohol outlets tend to have higher rates of alcohol sales.² Restrictions can be written into zoning ordinances that require outlets to be spaced a certain distance apart, keep bars and alcohol outlets out of certain locations (e.g., residential areas or near schools), and limit the hours of operation during which alcohol can be sold.³
  
  
• Restrict the location of alcohol outlets. Alcohol outlets are often concentrated in low-income neighborhoods.⁴ It is worthwhile for communities to assess the distribution and concentration of outlets across neighborhoods and to look at the existing zoning laws within poorer communities.⁵ Local communities that identify alcohol-related problems in their area can establish conditional-use permits in order to limit the number of permits that are issued to prospective retail outlets.

References

1. Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (1999). Preventing problems related to alcohol availability: Environmental approaches. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
   
   
2. Gruenewald, P. J., Ponicki, W. R., and Holder, H. D. (1993). The relationship of outlet densities to alcohol consumption: A time series cross-sectional analysis. Alcoholism Clinical Experimental Result, 17(1), 38–47 and 1996–S264; Van Oers, J. A. and Garretsen, H. F. (1993). The geographic relationship between alcohol use, bars, liquor shops and traffic injuries in Rotterdam. Journal of the Studies of Alcohol, 54(6), 739–744; and Toomey, T. and Wagenaar, A. (1999). Policy options for prevention: The case of alcohol. Journal of Public Health Policy, 20(2), 193–212.
   
   
3. Reynolds, R. I., Holder, H. D., and Gruenewald, P. J. (1997). Community prevention and alcohol retail access. Addiction, 92(Suppl. 2), S261–S272; Wittman, F. (1994). Development and use of conditional use permits to prevent problems related to retail alcohol outlets: An overview. Berkeley: University of California, Institute for the Study of Social Change; and Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (1999). Preventing problems related to alcohol availability: Environmental approaches. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
   
   
4. Gorman, D. M. and Speer, P. W. (1997). Concentration of liquor outlets in an economically disadvantaged city in the Northeastern United States. Substance Use and Misuse, 32(14), 2033–2046; and Toomey, T. and Wagenaar, A. (1999). Policy options for prevention: The case of alcohol. Journal of Public Health Policy, 20(2), 193–212.
   
   
5. Toomey, T. and Wagenaar, A. (1999). Policy options for prevention: The case of alcohol. Journal of Public Health Policy, 20(2), 193–212.