Potential Health Effects of Changes to the Kansas Liquor Control Act

This HIA was conducted to inform the state’s decision on whether to revise the Kansas Liquor Control Act to allow convenience and grocery stores to hold retail liquor licenses. The law, which has been in place for more than 60 years, currently allows only liquor stores to sell spirits, wine, and beer with higher alcohol content. The HIA assessed how changes in the law could affect health. Potential positive health effects of expanding state liquor licenses could include the creation of hospitality jobs and changes in local and state revenue, which might improve quality of life, for example. Potential negative health impacts could result primarily from greater access to liquor—for example, increases in underage drinking, binge drinking, driving under the influence, and associated health consequences, including more injuries and deaths. The bill died in committee.