Age Restriction

Minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws of 21 in the U.S. refer to a minimum age required to purchase alcohol in a state and measures aimed at preventing people under the minimum age from accessing alcohol. MLDA laws have significantly reduced drinking and drinking-related problems among adolescents and young adults, including education drop-out rates, car crashes, crime, injuries, assaults and suicides. There is also evidence that the relaxation of age restrictions contributes to heavier use later in life.  

Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws
Underage and College Alcohol Policies
  1. The Impact of Underage Drinking Laws on Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes of Young Drivers
    Fell JC, Fisher DA, Voas RB, Blackman K, Tippetts AS. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 33(7), 1208-1219.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  2. Long-Term Effects of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws on Adult Alcohol Use and Drinking Fatalities
    Kaestner R, Yarnoff B. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series (No. 15439) [Accessed: 2012-07-26. Archived By Webcite® At Http: //Www.Webcitation.Org/69Rxge249]. .
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  3. Predictors of High-Risk Alcohol Consumption in Young Offenders on Community Orders: Policy and Treatment Implications
    Kenny DT, Schreiner I. Psychology, Public Policy and Law. 15(1), 54-79.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  4. Perceived Local Enforcement, Personal Beliefs, and Underage Drinking: An Assessment of Moderating and Main Effects
    Lipperman-Kreda S, Paschall MJ, Grube JW. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 70(1), 64-69.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  5. Does the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Save Lives?
    Miron JA, Tetelbaum E. Economic Inquiry. 47(2), 317-336.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  6. Long-Term Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws on Past-Year Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders
    Norberg KE, Bierut LJ, Grucza RA. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 33(12), 2180-2190.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  7. Selected Community Characteristics and Underage Drinking
    Song EY, Reboussin BA, Foley KL, Kaltenbach LA, Wagoner KG, Wolfson M. Substance Use and Misuse. 44(2), 179-194.
    Date: 2009 (archived)
  8. Where Do Underage College Students Get Alcohol?
    Fabian LE, Toomey TL, Lenk KM, Erickson DJ. Journal of Drug Education. 38(1), 15-26.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  9. The Relationship of Underage Drinking Laws to Reductions in Drinking Drivers in Fatal Crashes in the United States
    Fell JC, Fisher DA, Voas RB, Blackman K, Tippetts AS. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 40, 1430-1440.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  10. Old Enough for a Beer?
    Rossow I, Karlsson T, Raitasalo K. Addiction. 103(9), 1468-1473.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  11. Likelihood of Illegal Alcohol Sales at Professional Sport Stadiums
    Toomey TL, Erickson DJ, Lenk KM, Kilian G. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 32(11), 1-6.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  12. Alcohol Outlets, Youth Drinking, and Self-Reported Ease of Access to Alcohol: A Constraints and Opportunities Approach
    Treno AJ, Ponicki WR, Remer LG, Gruenewald PJ. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 32(8), 1372-1379.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  13. Early Developmental Processes and the Continuity of Risk for Underage Drinking and Problem Drinking
    Zucker RA, Donovan JE, Masten AS, Mattson ME, Moss HB. Pediatrics. 121 Suppl 4, S252-272.
    Date: 2008 (archived)
  14. Enhanced Enforcement of Laws Prohibiting Sale of Alcohol to Minors: Systematic Review of Effectiveness for Reducing Sales and Underage Drinking
    Elder RW, Lawrence B, Janes G, Brewer RD, Toomey TL, Hingson RW, . Paper presented at the Traffic Safety and Alcohol Regulation, Irvine, CA. .
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  15. Status of 14 Under-Age-21 Drinking Laws in the United States
    Fell JCV, Robert B; Fisher Deborah A. Paper presented at the Traffic Safety and Alcohol Regulation, Irvine, CA. .
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  16. [Editorial] “Drinking is Fun” and “There’s Nothing You Can Do About It”: The Problem with the 21-Year-Old Minimum Drinking Age
    Fennell R. Journal of American College Health. 56(3), 213-215.
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  17. Mystery Shopping and Alcohol Sales: Do Supermarkets and Liquor Stores Sell Alcohol to Underage Customers?
    Gosselt JF, van Hoof JJ, de Jong MD, Prinsen S. The Journal of Adolescent Health. 41(3), 302-308.
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  18. New Zealand Lowers Drinking Age: Case Study
    Kypri K. Paper presented at the Traffic Safety and Alcohol Regulation, Irvine, CA. .
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  19. Minimum Purchase Age Laws: How Effective Are they in Reducing Alcohol-Impaired Driving?
    McCartt AT, Kirley BB. Paper presented at the Traffic Safety and Alcohol Regulation, Irvine, CA. .
    Date: 2007 (archived)
  20. Alcohol Outlet Characteristics and Alcohol Sales to Youth: Results of Alcohol Purchase Surveys in 45 Oregon Communities
    Paschall MJ, Grube JW, Black C, Flewelling RL, Ringwalt CL, Biglan A. Prevention Science. 8(2), 153-159.
    Date: 2007 (archived)
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