Research from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine found that at peak times, such as Saturday night, a third of patients were in emergency due to alcohol.

Associate Professor Diana Egerton-Warburton said the study monitored eight hospitals, including one Tasmanian hospital, for a week.

‘‘All regions of Australia, including Tasmania, had emergency departments where one in three people on Saturday night were there as a result of alcohol,’’ she said.

‘‘It tells us it’s more like working in a pub than an emergency department.’’

The study, which is the largest of its kind, found that one in 12 of all presentations were alcohol-related, which equated to half a million patients each year Australia-wide.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Neroli Ellis said emergency nurses were increasingly exposed to people presenting affected by alcohol and drugs on a shift-by-shift basis. 

‘‘There is also the follow-on to the admitting ward in the hospital when the alcohol-affected patients are admitted, often requiring one-on-one nursing, adding to the stress and strain of the already stretched resources,’’ Mrs Ellis said.

Dr Egerton-Warburton said Tasmania should follow states like NSW and Queensland and implement stricter liquor laws, such as lockouts.

‘‘For every hour after midnight there will be a 20 per cent increase in harm,’’ she said.

‘‘What we’ve seen across Australia for the last decade is systematic increase availability of alcohol.

‘‘The pendulum has swung too far, it’s time for us as a community to think about going back the other way.’’

The state government has implemented new liquor laws that aim to crack down on dangerous behaviour associated with drinking. 

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the government’s new laws ensured there was a balance between ‘‘a vibrant hospitality sector and also addressing concerns about misuse of alcohol’’.

The changes include the ability to ban troublemakers from venues for up to six months and prevent outlandish drink specials.