Recorded presentation

Rhonda J. Jones-Webb, DrPH¹, Patricia McKee, MA¹, Alex Wagenaar, PhD², Peter Hannan, Mstat³, Lan Pham, MA¹, and Denise Herd, PhD⁴. (1) Alcohol Epidemiology Program, University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-624-1818, jones@epi.umn.edu, (2) Alcohol Epidemiology Program, Division o f Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, (3) Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, (4) School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 315 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720

Objectives. Our study investigated the availability and promotion of malt liquor in inner-city neighborhoods. Malt liquor is a concern because of its high alcohol content and large serving size (40-ounce bottle).

Methods. Data were collected on the availability and promotion of malt liquor via observations of off-sale alcohol outlets in inner-city neighborhoods in 10 U.S. cities. Availability of malt liquor was assessed in terms of price, number of brands, number of packaging options, and amount of refrigerator space allocated to malt liquor. Promotion of malt liquor was measured in terms of the number of store promotions and amount of store advertising related to malt beverages. Descriptive results are presented.

Results. Over three-quarters of the alcohol outlets (86%) carried 40-ounce bottles (singles) of malt liquor. The median price of a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor was $1.84. The median price of a 6-pack of Budweiser, which delivers only slightly more alcohol per volume than a 40-ounce malt liquor, was 3 times higher, at $5.45. The number of brands of malt liquor ranged from 0 to16, and the number displayed in the front row of the cooler ranged from 0 to 47. Although malt liquor sales comprise three percent of all beer sales in the U.S., almost half of the off-sale alcohol outlets (48%) had promotions related to malt liquor, and over two-thirds (68%) of the outlets had interior ads for malt liquor.

Conclusion. Malt liquor continues to be readily available and promoted in off-sale outlets in inner-city communities.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, the audience will be able to

(
• Articulate why the availability and promotion of malt liquor is a problem in inner-city neighborhoods. (
• List appropriate measures of malt liquor availability and promotion in inner-city neighborhoods. (
• Describe the the level of availability and promotion of malt liquor in inner-city neighborhoods.

Keywords: Alcohol, Minorities

Related Web page: epi@umn.edu/alcohol

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation