Alcohol consumption patterns, suppliers and online alcohol marketing: Before and during COVID-19 alcohol bans

Marieke Theron; Rina Swart; Mukhethwa Londani; Charles Parry; Petal Petersen Williams; Nadine Harker

doi:10.17159/sajs.2023/14543

Authors

Marieke Theron School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6685-7803
Rina Swart School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7786-3117
Mukhethwa Londani 1.Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Directorate of Research and Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7054-237X
Charles Parry 1.Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9787-2785
Petal Petersen Williams 1.Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5535-2458
Nadine Harker 1.Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0850-541X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2023/14543

Keywords:

substance use, heavy episodic drinking, digital marketing, COVID-19, illegal

Abstract

COVID-19-related alcohol sales bans and stay-at-home orders prompted the alcohol industry in South Africa to increase their online alcohol sales promotions. We investigated changes in alcohol-related behaviour and the drivers of illegal alcohol sales through a self-reported Facebook survey that ran from July to November 2020. Questions included socio-demographics and comparison of alcohol purchasing behaviour and intake during 2019 and 2020. Statistical tests were applied to find associations between illegal alcohol purchasing and alcohol-related behaviours. A total of 792 participants took part in the survey, 69.7% of whom were female. During lockdown periods, most participants (55.3%) bought alcohol illegally from illegal outlets or friends. Online alcohol-delivery marketing increased by 20 percentage points from 2019 to 2020, with participants stating that they saw a lot of advertisements per day and 80% of persons under 25 years were not asked to verify their age in 2020 upon delivery. Home-brewed beer and vodka intake increased in 2020 during the alcohol sales bans. Men from the Western Cape who engaged in daily or weekly heavy episodic drinking were more prone to purchase alcohol illegally. The Western Cape, which is South Africa’s most prolific wine-producing region, had the highest odds of people buying alcohol illegally, with wine being found to be the most frequently bought alcohol online and consumed by these participants. There is a need for further research into the differences in alcohol-related behaviour affecting illegal alcohol purchasing according to income group, proximity to alcohol producers and underage alcohol sales and marketing through online applications.

Significance:

Alcohol sales bans have the potential to reduce and stop the alcohol intake of moderate drinkers, but may make heavy episodic drinkers drink more than usual.
During COVID-19 lockdown, illegal alcohol sales were taking place through unlicenced alcohol outlets and friends, and not through licenced online applications.
Unlicenced alcohol outlets need to be addressed to prevent future illegal alcohol sales.
Stricter regulations aimed at legal online alcohol sales applications should be put in place to prevent alcohol sales to minors and those who have already consumed too much alcohol.
There should be a ban on marketing of addictive substances, such as alcohol.