Prevalence and acceptability of public health initiatives in licensed premises

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and acceptability of public health initiatives in licensed premises. METHODS: Licensees/managers of all 333 licensed premises in the Hunter Regi on of NSW were interviewed to assess the practice of, and interest in under taking public health initiatives relating to: responsible service of alcoho l; environmental tobacco smoke; healthy-food choices: skin, breast and cerv ical cancer prevention; and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: Ninety eight percent of contacted premises participated in the stu dy. Approximately two-thirds of premises reported having a responsible serv ice of alcohol policy and training their staff in responsible service. One third of premises reported the provision of healthy food choices and smoke- free areas. Initiatives concerned with the prevention of cancer and HIV/AID S were practised by less than 25% of premises. Between 41% and 85% of premi ses expressed an interest in undertaking all but two initiatives. Almost al l interested premises accepted the offer of resources to facilitate adoptio n of public health initiatives. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that licensed premises are already involved in a number of public health initiatives, and that they appear willing to consider the introduction of a wide range of such initiatives. IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of public health initiatives in licensed premi ses, and the extent of interest expressed by licensees/managers in undertak ing such initiatives suggests that both a need and an opportunity exist for public health and other agencies to be more actively involved in dissemina ting appropriate services in this setting.