Introduction
Numerous studies have found associations between alcohol outlet density and violence,
but it is unknown whether alcohol advertisements visible outside outlets are also
associated with violent crime. Baltimore City, MD enacted restrictions on retail alcohol
establishment advertising practices as of June 5, 2017. This study examines the association
between alcohol advertisements visible outside off-premise alcohol outlets and violent
crime before this restriction.
Methods
Outlet observations (n=683) were conducted in summer 2015, and violent crime data (n=24,085) were from June 5, 2015, through June 4, 2017. The number of violent crimes
per square mile within 1,000 feet of outlets was summed using kernel density estimation.
In 2018–2019, authors used mixed models with a Simes–Benjamini–Hochberg correction
for multiple testing.
Results
Roughly half (47%, n=267) of the outlets with complete data (n=572) had alcohol advertisements visible from the exterior. Outlets with alcohol advertisements
had 15% more violent crimes per square mile within 1,000 feet (eβ=1.15, 95% CI=1.07, 1.25, q<0.001) after adjusting for neighborhood context. All associations between alcohol
advertisements and specific types of violent crime were significant, with the association
strongest for homicides (eβ=1.28, 95% CI=1.13, 1.46, q<0.001). There was no association between cigarette advertisements and violent crime
(eB=1.08, 95% CI=0.92, 1.26, q=0.43).
Conclusions
Alcohol advertisements visible outside off-premise outlets were associated with increased
violent crime over and above the association between the outlets themselves and violent
crime. Reducing alcohol advertising visible from the street may decrease risk of violent
crime that is associated with alcohol outlets.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: January 20, 2020
Identification
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© 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
