Describes 26 evidence-based legal policies for underage drinking prevention (Policy Summaries), summarizes and analyzes data on state prevention and enforcement activities and expenditures, and shows state performance on six underage...

As of January 1, 2017, all states prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages (with certain exceptions) by those under age 21.

Most states prohibit minors from purchasing or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Inspecting government-issued identification (driver’s license, nondriver ID card, passport, and military ID card) is one major mechanism for ensuring that buyers meet minimum age requirements.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit policies establish the maximum amount of alcohol a minor can have in his or her bloodstream when operating a motor vehicle.

Use/lose laws authorize suspension or revocation of driving privileges as a penalty for underage purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) is a system designed to delay full licensure for teenage automobile drivers, thus allowing beginning drivers to gain experience under less risky conditions.

All states prohibit furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors by both commercial servers (bars, restaurants, retail sales outlets) and noncommercial servers.

Compliance checks involve an underage operative (a “decoy”)—working either with local law enforcement officials or with agents from the state alcoholic beverage control agency (ABC)— who enters an alcohol retail...

In the majority of states, alcoholic beverage control (ABC) agencies are responsible for adjudicating administrative charges against licensees, including violations for sales or service to those under age 21.

Responsible beverage service (RBS) training policies require or incentivize retail alcohol outlets to train licensees, managers, and servers/sellers to effectively implement policies and procedures that prevent alcohol sale and service...

All states specify a minimum age for employees who serve or dispense alcoholic beverages...

Most states have laws that specify a minimum age for employees who sell alcoholic beverages in off-premises establishments such as liquor stores.

Policies that limit the placement of retail alcohol outlets near colleges and schools are designed to make alcohol less accessible to youth by keeping alcohol sales physically distant from locations...

Dram shop liability refers to the civil liability that commercial alcohol providers face for injuries or damages caused by their intoxicated or underage drinking patrons...

Social host liability refers to the civil liability that noncommercial alcohol providers face for injuries or damages caused by their intoxicated or underage drinking guests.

Host party laws establish state-imposed liability against individuals (social hosts) responsible for underage drinking events on property they own, lease, or otherwise control.

This policy addresses state laws that prohibit or permit retailers to ship alcohol directly to consumers located across state lines, usually by ordering alcohol over the Internet...

State proscriptions against direct sales and shipments of alcohol from producers to consumers date back to the repeal of Prohibition.

Keg registration laws (also called keg tagging laws) require wholesalers or retailers to attach tags, stickers, or engravings with an identification number to kegs exceeding a specified capacity.

Home delivery restrictions prohibit or limit the ability of alcohol retailers to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers who are not present at their retail outlet...

There is ample evidence that the “economic availability” of alcoholic beverages (i.e., retail price) affects underage drinking and a wide variety of related consequences.

Restrictions on low-price, high-volume drink specials regulate on-premises retailers in their use of various price-related marketing tactics such as happy hours, two-for-one specials, or free drinks that encourage heavier consumption...

Many states included restrictions on wholesaler pricing practices intended to strengthen the three-tier system, reduce price competition among wholesalers and retailers, and combat corruption and crime in the alcohol market.

This policy addresses state laws that prohibit or restrict the retail availability of high-proof grain alcoholic beverages as a strategy for reducing underage drinking, particularly underage binge drinking.