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Seller & server minimum age

Health Factors: Alcohol Use
Decision Makers: Government - Local, Government - State
Evidence Rating: Insufficient Evidence
Population Reach: 10-19% of WI's population
Impact on Disparities: No impact on disparities likely

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Description

Age of seller policies require that servers and clerks at alcohol establishments be of a minimum age in order to serve or sell alcohol.

Expected Beneficial Outcomes

Reduced underage drinking

Evidence of Effectiveness

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether age of seller policies reduce underage drinking. Available evidence suggests that underage sellers are more likely to sell alcohol to customers under the age of 21 (Forster 1994, Forster 1995) and to intoxicated patrons (Freisthler 2003). However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.

Implementation Examples

United States

The minimum required seller and server age varies among states. Some states, for example, require a minimum age of 21 while others require a minimum age of 18 (NIAAA-Alcohol policy).

Wisconsin

As of January 2011, Wisconsin requires sellers and servers to be 18 or older (NIAAA-Alcohol policy).

 

Citations - Evidence

Forster 1994 - Forster JL, McGovern PG, Wagenaar AC, et al. The ability of young people to purchase alcohol without age identification in northeastern Minnesota, USA. Addiction. 1994;89(6):699-705. Accessed on June 29, 2012
Webpage: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb00956.x/abstract
Forster 1995* - Forster J, Murray D, Wolfson M, Wagenaar A. Commercial availability of alcohol to young people: Results of alcohol purchase attempts. Preventive Medicine. 1995;24(4):342-7. Accessed on June 29, 2012
Webpage: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743585710560
Freisthler 2003* - Freisthler B, Gruenewald PJ, Treno AJ, Lee J. Evaluating alcohol access and the alcohol environment in neighborhood areas. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 2003;27(3):477-84. Accessed on June 29, 2012
Webpage: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1097/01.ALC.0000057043.04199.B7/abstract

Citations - Implementation Examples

NIAAA-Alcohol policy - Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS). Welcome to the Alcohol Policy Information System. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/

* Journal subscription may be required for access.

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Health Factors

Health Behaviors
Tobacco Use
Diet & Exercise
Alcohol Use
Sexual Activity
 Clinical Care
Access to Care
Quality of Care
 Social & Economic Factors
Education
Employment
Income
Family & Social Support
Community Safety
 Physical Environment
Environmental Quality
Built Environment

Decision Makers

Businesses & Employers
Community Organizations
Government - Local
Government - State
Government - Federal
Healthcare Organizations
Individuals
Schools

Evidence Rating

Level of effectiveness based on a scan of academic literature and key recommendations of leading organizations.

  • Scientifically Supported Numerous studies or systematic review(s) with positive results
  • Some Evidence Research suggests positive impacts; further study may be warranted
  • Expert Opinion Recommended by credible groups*; research evidence limited
  • Insufficient Evidence Evidence limited or unavailable; further study warranted
  • Mixed Evidence Evidence mixed; further study warranted
  • Evidence of Ineffectiveness Research consistently shows program is detrimental or has no effect

Although many policies and programs are recommended by credible groups, we apply the rating ‘expert opinion’ only when policies are recommended but limited scientific evidence of effectiveness is available.

* The American Heritage Dictionary defines credible as 'capable of being believed; plausible.' and 'worthy of confidence; reliable.' To be considered an 'expert recommendation,' policies and programs must be recommended by one or more organizations that are recognized for their impartial expertise in the area of interest and have limited evidence available.

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Impact on Health Disparities

Likely impact of a given policy or program on racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic or other disparities in Wisconsin based on its characteristics (e.g., target audience, mode of delivery, etc.) and best available evidence related to disparities.

  • Likely to decrease disparities
  • No impact on disparities likely
  • Likely to increase disparities