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

A Comprehensive Examination of United States Laws Enacted to Reduce Alcohol-Related Crashes Among Underage Drivers

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Selected State Policies and Associations with Alcohol Use Behaviors and Risky Driving Behaviors Among Youth: Findings from Monitoring the Future Study

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Underage Drinking: A Review of Trends and Prevention Strategies

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The Utility of Including the Strengths of Underage Drinking Laws in Determining Their Effect on Outcomes

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  1. The Effects of Eliminating Alcohol in a College Stadium: The Folsom Field Beer Ban
    Bormann CA, Stone MH. Journal of American College Health. 50(2), 81-88.
    Date: 2001 (archived)
  2. Alcohol Regulation and Violence on College Campuses
    Grossman M, Markowitz S. Economic Analysis of Substance Use and Abuse: The Experience of Developed Countries and Lessons for Developing Countries (pp. 257-289), Cheltenham, UK. .
    Date: 2001 (archived)
  3. Adolescent Drinking and Alcohol Policy
    Grube JW, Nygaard P. Contemporary Drug Problems. 28(1), 87-132.
    Date: 2001 (archived)
  4. Lowered Legal Blood Alcohol Limits for Young Drivers: Effects on Drinking, Driving, and Driving-After-Drinking Behaviors in 30 States
    Wagenaar AC, O’Malley PM, LaFond C. American Journal of Public Health. 91(5), 801-804.
    Date: 2001 (archived)
  5. The Relative Importance of Social Versus Commercial Sources in Youth Access to Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs
    Harrison PA, Fulkerson JA, Park E. Preventive Medicine. 31(1), 39-48.
    Date: 2000 (archived)
  6. Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol: Outcomes for a Randomized Community Trial
    Wagenaar AC, Murray DM, Gehan JP, Wolfson M, Forster JL, Toomey TL, Perry CL, Jones-Webb R. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 61(1), 85-94.
    Date: 2000 (archived)
  7. State Alcohol Policies, Teen Drinking and Traffic Fatalities
    Dee TS. The Journal of Public Economics. 72(2), 289-315.
    Date: 1999 (archived)
  8. Preventing Sales of Alcohol to Minors: Results from a Community Trial
    Grube JW. Addiction. 92 Suppl 2, S251-260.
    Date: 1997 (archived)
  9. Binge Drinking in College: The Impact of Price, Availability, and Alcohol Control Policies
    Chaloupka FJ, Wechsler H. Contemporary Economic Policy. 14(4), p112-124.
    Date: 1996 (archived)
  10. Evaluating the Effects of a Community Coalition’s Efforts to Reduce Illegal Sales of Alcohol and Tobacco Products to Minors
    Lewis RK, Paine-Andrews A, Fawcett SB, Francisco VT, Richter KP, Copple B, . Journal of Community Health. 21(6), 429-436.
    Date: 1996 (archived)
  11. Characteristics, Policies and Practices of Alcohol Outlets and Sales to Underage Persons
    Wolfson M, Toomey TL, Forster JL, Wagenaar AC, McGovern PG, Perry CL. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 57(6), 670-674.
    Date: 1996 (archived)
  12. Alcohol Outlet Policies and Practices Concerning Sales to Underage People
    Wolfson M, Toomey TL, Murray DM, Forster JL, Short BJ, Wagenaar AC. Addiction. 91(4), 589-602.
    Date: 1996 (archived)
  13. Commercial Availability of Alcohol to Young People: Results of Alcohol Purchase Attempts
    Forster JL, Murray DM, Wolfson M, Wagenaar AC. Preventive Medicine. 24(4), 342-347.
    Date: 1995 (archived)
  14. Young Teenagers and Access to Alcohol in a Swiss Canton: Evidence from Observational Testing and from a Telephone Survey
    Vaucher S, Rehm J, Benvenuti J, Müller R. Addiction. 90(12), 1619-1625.
    Date: 1995 (archived)
  15. Deterring Sales and Provision of Alcohol to Minors: A Study of Enforcement in 295 Counties in Four States
    Wagenaar AC, Wolfson M. Public Health Reports. 110, 419-427.
    Date: 1995 (archived)
  16. The Ability of Young People to Purchase Alcohol Without Age Identification in Northeastern Minnesota, United States
    Forster JL, McGovern PG, Wagenaar AC, Wolfson M, Perry CL, Anstine PS. Addiction. 89(6), 699-705.
    Date: 1994 (archived)
  17. Policing Underage Alcohol Sales
    Preusser DF, AF, W, Weinstein HB. Journal of Safety Research. 25(3), 127-133.
    Date: 1994 (archived)
  18. Youth, Alcohol and Relative Risk of Crash Involvement
    Mayhew DR, Donelson AC, Beirness DJ, Simpson HM. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 18(4), 273-287.
    Date: 1986 (archived)
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