Does your state, county, or city have regulations to restrict the non-commercial availability of alcohol to underage youth? Are they effectively enforced?

Restrict minors’ access to noncommercial sources of alcohol. If not in effect already, local government agencies and prevention providers can work to restrict minors’ access to alcohol in a noncommercial setting by implementing policies around the following areas:

• Restricting alcohol service at community events such as fairs and holiday celebrations.
• Creating alcohol-safe community events.
• Restricting the availability of alcohol in public settings such as parks and recreation centers.
• Enacting keg registration and teen party ordinances to reduce the availability of alcohol to young people in noncommercial settings.

For example, below are several model policy strategies to prevent the underage sale of alcohol, and social provisions around alcohol use for community events in which alcohol service occurs:

Checking Identification--For every alcohol sale, check the identification of all customers appearing to be under the age of 30.
Enclosed Area--Restrict alcohol sales to a designated location where underage youth are not allowed.
Use Wristbands--Use wristbands to identify people who are 21 and older.
Limit Servings--Limit the number of servings per person per purchase to one (one ID, one beer).
Use Distinguishable Cups--Use cups for alcoholic beverages that are easily distinguishable from non-alcoholic beverage cups.
No Sales to Obviously Intoxicated Customers--Absolutely no alcohol sales to anyone appearing obviously intoxicated.
Limit Cup Size--Limit cup size to 12 ounces for beer and wine coolers and 5 oz. for wine.
Offer Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages--Offer food and non-alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic beer.
Alcohol Service Hours--Cease alcohol service at least one hour before the end of the event or festival.
No Price Discounting on Alcohol—Prohibit drink promotions.

Implement and enforce social host liability laws. Surveys of youth show that the most common ways of obtaining alcohol are from the young person's own home or from persons over the age of 21 who purchase alcohol for them. Social host liability laws may deter parents and other adults from hosting underage parties and purchasing/providing alcohol for underage youth.

Some adults believe underage drinking is just part of growing up and therefore find it acceptable to give alcohol to underage people. Social host liability laws send a clear message to adults that providing alcohol to underage youth is not acceptable. Many do not realize that it may be illegal in their state to serve or provide alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons. Social host liability laws may act as a strong deterrent if providers believe that they will be sued if injury or death occurs as a result of their provision of alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person.

Without social host liability laws, it can be difficult to enforce laws against adults who provide alcohol to underage youth or intoxicated persons. Social host liability laws may act as a strong deterrent if providers believe that they will be sued if injury or death occurs as a result of the provision of alcohol to an underage or intoxicated person. Finally, research shows social host liability laws are effective. In an analysis of all 50 states, social host laws were associated with reductions in drinking-driving and heavy drinking.