Currently in New South Wales strict lockout laws apply only to major metropolitan areas, including Newcastle’s CDB, Sydney’s CBD and Sydney’s Entertainment precinct (Kings Cross to Cockle Bay and the Rocks to Haymarket and Darlinghurst) (NSW Gov, 2014; Kypri, Jones, McElduff & Barker, 2010). The NSW Government (2014) outlined the laws which were introduced in Sydney, in January 2014. These included lock out at 1.30am, last drinks at 3am and no shots of spirits after 12am (excluding small bars and tourism accommodation premises). The lockout laws aimed at reducing the movement of intoxicated patrons between alcoholic licenced premises (Howard et al, 2014). Also introduced were precinct bans for troublemakers for up to 48hrs and tougher punishments
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A no trade after 10pm for liquor shops was introduced state wide with further licencing regulations and higher fees for non-compliant facilities introduced (NSW Gov, 2014). Similar lockout and last drinks laws apply for Newcastle’s CBD, as those in Sydney (Kypri et al., 2010). With the introduction of the strict new lockout laws a significant decrease in serious injury hospitalisations has occurred (Fulde & Smith, 2015; Carter, 2014). St Vincent’s, as the closest major hospital to the restricted drinking areas in Sydney, has seen firsthand the positive effects of the new liquor regulations. Carter (2014) interviewed the Doctor in charge of Trauma at St Vincent’s for the ABC, although only one perspective is discussed, Dr Tony Grabs confirms the statistical findings of further reports. The reduction in alcohol related risk decreased by 24.8% post lockout law introduction, confirming the major effect the laws are having on the short term health of individuals (Fulde & Smith, …show more content…
Increased alcohol consumption, over two standard drinks per day, seriously increases the risk of chronic illness, injury or death (NHRMC, 2009; AIHW, 2013). In 2010, 2.7% of Australasia’s disease burden was cause by alcohol use (AIHW, 2013). With a higher burden on the health care system, vital services are stretched to accommodate for risky drinkers, putting other patient’s health at risk. Although high levels of alcohol consumption have decreased since 2010, young adults are still more likely to consume alcohol at risky levels in a single situation; binge drinking (AIHW, 2013). An increase in high levels of alcohol use leads to greater risk of chronic illness, especially with long term exposure at high levels. The lockout laws have resulted in higher hospitalisation rates between 9pm and midnight (Fulde & Smith, 2015). Individuals, predominantly young adults binge drink at risky levels earlier on in the night to avoid the restrictions of the last drinks laws; preloading or pre-drinking (Fulde & Smith, 2015). Fulde and Smith (2015), although understanding the general direction of health trends in Sydney following the introduction of the 2014 Liquor Laws, cannot ensure complete data of alcohol consumption, resulting in data becoming a snap shot of the population. Overall, it can be shown that lockout laws have positively reduced violence in Sydney,
A no trade after 10pm for liquor shops was introduced state wide with further licencing regulations and higher fees for non-compliant facilities introduced (NSW Gov, 2014). Similar lockout and last drinks laws apply for Newcastle’s CBD, as those in Sydney (Kypri et al., 2010). With the introduction of the strict new lockout laws a significant decrease in serious injury hospitalisations has occurred (Fulde & Smith, 2015; Carter, 2014). St Vincent’s, as the closest major hospital to the restricted drinking areas in Sydney, has seen firsthand the positive effects of the new liquor regulations. Carter (2014) interviewed the Doctor in charge of Trauma at St Vincent’s for the ABC, although only one perspective is discussed, Dr Tony Grabs confirms the statistical findings of further reports. The reduction in alcohol related risk decreased by 24.8% post lockout law introduction, confirming the major effect the laws are having on the short term health of individuals (Fulde & Smith, …show more content…
Increased alcohol consumption, over two standard drinks per day, seriously increases the risk of chronic illness, injury or death (NHRMC, 2009; AIHW, 2013). In 2010, 2.7% of Australasia’s disease burden was cause by alcohol use (AIHW, 2013). With a higher burden on the health care system, vital services are stretched to accommodate for risky drinkers, putting other patient’s health at risk. Although high levels of alcohol consumption have decreased since 2010, young adults are still more likely to consume alcohol at risky levels in a single situation; binge drinking (AIHW, 2013). An increase in high levels of alcohol use leads to greater risk of chronic illness, especially with long term exposure at high levels. The lockout laws have resulted in higher hospitalisation rates between 9pm and midnight (Fulde & Smith, 2015). Individuals, predominantly young adults binge drink at risky levels earlier on in the night to avoid the restrictions of the last drinks laws; preloading or pre-drinking (Fulde & Smith, 2015). Fulde and Smith (2015), although understanding the general direction of health trends in Sydney following the introduction of the 2014 Liquor Laws, cannot ensure complete data of alcohol consumption, resulting in data becoming a snap shot of the population. Overall, it can be shown that lockout laws have positively reduced violence in Sydney,