Education of key personnel in student pubs leads to a decrease in alcohol consumption among the patrons: a randomized controlled trial

Aims To decrease alcohol consumption among patrons in student pubs by server‐training programmes. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting University campus. Participants A total of 1322 students visiting local student pubs during ordinary pub evenings. Intervention Educational programmes were given to bartenders (n = 40) in a randomized design in six of 12 pubs on a university campus. Bartenders in control pubs were not given the programme. Measurements Breath alcohol concentration (BAC), expressed in percentage, among the patrons and the reported social atmosphere in the pub (‘high’, ‘cosy’ and ‘rowdy’) measured on a visual analogue scale in the pub before and after the intervention programme was given. Findings BACs of patrons in the intervention pubs were reduced by more than those of the patrons in the control pubs at a 1‐month follow‐up. The mean difference in BAC between intervention and control groups was ?0.011% (95% confidence interval, 0.022–0.000). The intervention group also decreased more in reported level of ‘rowdy’ social atmosphere than did the control group. The mean difference was ?6 points (95% confidence interval ?11 to ?1). No differences were found in reported ‘cosy’ and ‘high’ atmosphere. Conclusion Alcohol levels among the patrons were decreased and the ‘rowdy’ social atmosphere reduced in the intervention group. Server‐training programmes for personnel in student pubs could be a component in the prevention of alcohol problems in university student populations.