Influences on public health contributions to alcohol licensing processes in local government in England: a mixed-methods study

Abstract

Background The relocation of public health into English local government in 2013 provided opportunities for closer integration of public health and alcohol licensing work in local authorities, with potential to shape local alcohol environments. How public health practitioners can best influence alcohol licensing to improve population health remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the contextual influences on, and perceived impact of, public health practice for alcohol licensing in local authorities in London. Methods A mixed-methods study explored how, why, and with what effect public health practitioners act on alcohol licence applications. The sample included practitioners from across the 33 local authorities in London. Data collection included ethnographic observations of public health practice (eight local authorities), in-depth interviews with licensing practitioners (n=15), four focus group discussions with a range of stakeholders, an online survey of public health practitioners (18 local authorities), and analysis of 10 months' routine alcohol licensing data (five local authorities). Qualitative data were analysed thematically and descriptive statistics conducted on the survey and routine data.