In response to public health concerns and the adverse health consequences of alcohol abuse, Surgeon General Antonia Novello requested that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) provide information on State alcohol laws and enforcement. These concerns mirror one of Department of Health and Human Services (HI-IS) Secretary Louis Sullivan’s goals which is to reduce the prevalence of alcohol problems among children and youth. This report is one in a series prepared by the OIG related to youth and alcohol. It describes the State laws about youth and alcohol and how State alcoholic beverage control agencies enforce the laws.
At the Federal level, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all States to raise their minimum purchase and public possession age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act. The Department of Transportation has determined that all States are in compliance with this Act.
During June and July 1991, we conducted interviews with State alcoholic beverage control (ABC) and/or State enforcement agency officials from all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Concurrently, we reviewed all State alcohol control laws and regulations pertaining to youth.