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James F. Mosher, JD, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 6062 Graham Hill Road, Suite B, Felton, CA 95018, 831-335-1000, jmosher@pire.org
In recognition of the immense social cost of underage drinking, Congress commissioned the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report "Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility" (2003). It includes a comprehensive set of recommendations regarding youth access to alcohol, proposing that states: prohibit purchase, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 and furnishing of any alcohol to minors by adults (with a single exception related to service of an adult’s own child in his/her own residence); require sellers and servers of alcohol to complete state-approved training and require sellers to register beer kegs to provide information on the identity of purchasers. Research suggests that these policies are effective in reducing and preventing underage drinking.
States vary widely in their approaches to these policies. All states prohibit youth possession of alcohol in at least some circumstances but with varying exceptions that appear to undercut the purpose of the laws. States vary widely in their adoption of server training and keg registration laws. This paper assesses current state policies, evaluating each state’s laws in relation to the IOM recommendations and providing a means for advocates, state governments and public health organizations to evaluate priorities for statutory and regulatory reform. For each of the above IOM recommendations, this paper will define the key elements of a “best practice” and rate each state’s current law (both statutory and regulatory).
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Alcohol, Policy/Policy Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.