The prohibition of distillates in the Czech republic in reaction on methyl-alcohol, on legal and illegal markets in 2012
Abstract
There were emerged several cases of methyl alcohol poisoning in the Czech Republic during second half of 2012. In August and September the number of cases increased and Ministry of health in collaboration with responsible Governmental institutions reacted through a special measurement: selected prohibition of distillates - exactly all type of alcohol beverages with percentage of alcohol higher than 20% (document of Ministry of health from September 12., September 14. and September 20, 2012).
The study is designed as combination of questionnaire survey and qualitative field research project conducted and leaded by Clinic of Addictology with aim to map of availability and patterns of consumption during the period of prohibition and during post prohibition time. Through the internet questionnaire survey (429 respondents in total) and small field subprojects targeted on sellers of alcohol and different specific population of alcohol users like psychiatric patients, clients of social services etc.
We collected qualitative date about selling and self-supplying strategies in 15 cities in 6 regions of the Czech Republic. We were not able to identify real significant impact on patterns of consumption.
During the prohibition were distillates available on illegal market and all searched target population created and adopted different strategies for obtaining of alcohol. Alcohol was obtained from different sources including home reserve, illegal selling in bars and restaurants etc.
We expected more significant impact on low-income brackets but it was not confirmed.