NCJ Number
187410
Date Published
1999
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper profiles education programs for merchants and servers who sell alcohol; such programs are intended to promote voluntary compliance with laws and regulations that govern the sale of alcohol to minors.
Abstract
Education programs can be provided both for off-sales outlets, such as liquor or grocery stores, and on-sales outlets, such as bars and restaurants. These programs may also be conducted as part of a more general approach to responsible beverage service training. Educational approaches can take a variety of forms. They may involve distribution of materials to alcohol retailers, materials that summarize the laws and penalties on sales to minors. Another approach involves visits to retailers by representatives of regulatory or enforcement agencies, as well as by community groups concerned about sales to minors. Voluntary training programs may be offered to managers and employees; and mandatory education programs may be established for the managers or employees in violation of youth access laws. Merchant education can provide information about relevant laws and penalties, persuade merchants that selling alcoholic beverages to minors is dangerous and violates community norms as well as the law, help owners and managers establish responsible management policies, and teach skills that can help prevent sales to minors who adopt various strategies to avoid being detected for underage liquor purchases. Merchant education programs can help to generate public and business support for enforcement and can enhance enforcement efforts; however, they have not been shown to be powerful interventions on their own. They should be only part of a comprehensive effort to reduce youth access to alcoholic beverages and youth drunk driving. Seven resources for further information are described.