Changing Hours and Days of Sale

Changes in licensing provisions that substantially modify hours of service can have a significant effect on drinking and drinking-related problems overall. Studies suggest that reduced hours and days of sale can have net effects in reducing overall alcohol consumption and problems levels, with the effects concentrated during the times of closure but not matched by counterbalancing changes at other times of the week. Some states and communities prohibit on-premise or off-premise purchase of alcoholic beverages on Sundays or after a certain evening (not early morning) hour.
In sum, it appears that changes in licensing provisions that substantially reduce hours of service can have a significant impact on drinking and drinking-related problems overall, The evidence that such changes affect young people is more limited as most evaluations have focused on the total drinking population.