Indicator Description
Research has shown that a high number and concentration of alcohol outlets are often associated with increased alcohol and drug problems. Liquor licenses are issued by governments to several different types of establishments: private or state-run liquor stores, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, et cetra. An increase in the number of licenses within a community over time may be interpreted as evidence that the availability of alcoholic beverages has increased.

What to Measure

• Number of active alcohol outlet licenses in the community. In control states, the location of state retail stores, rather than licenses, would be measured.
• License State: The state licenses private businesses or individuals to conduct wholesale and retail sales of all alcoholic beverage types and subtypes sold within the state.
• Control State: The state sets the price of, and gains profit/revenue directly (rather than solely from taxation) from the sale of, one or more alcoholic beverage types or subtypes.
• Number of state licenses per 100,000 population.
• Number of new licenses issued and number of licenses revoked during a year or other relevant time period.
• Number of different types of outlets in the community (retail v. bars).
• Concentration of outlets in a neighborhood or community.

Where to Find Local Data

• State liquor commissioners or Alcohol Beverage Control Commissions (ABC) may publish directories or be able to provide lists of active licenses within each town.
• The Distilled Spirits Council publishes a summary of state laws and regulations with detail on taxation, advertisement, hours of sale, et cetra.
• GIS mapping of outlets in the community to show neighborhood concentrations (perhaps near a school or university). There are several ways to display this data:
• geographical density: the number of outlets in a specific land area;
• economic density: the number of outlets as a percentage of other businesses in a geographical area; or
• population density: the number of outlets in relation to the population of a specific geographic area.

Interpretation Guidelines

• Tracking alcohol outlets is only an indirect measure of alcohol sold. One large store may sell more than several small stores.
• This measure cannot capture the sale of alcohol to underage groups.

Resources
Gruenewald PJ, Remer L, and Lipton R. "Evaluating the Alcohol Environment: Community Geography and Alcohol Problems." Alcohol Research & Health, 26(1): 42-48, 2002. 

Source: Washington State Liquor Control Board. Annual Report, 2002.