A Few Ideas...
Low or No-Cost Evidence Based Community Practices
to Reduce/Diminish Youth Alcohol and/or Tobacco Use
1) Alcohol/tobacco restrictions at community events
a) Strategies for reducing alcohol sales to minors:
The more policies that are in place, the less likely alcohol will be sold to underage
customers (Toomey et al., 2005). The number of policies, rather than the specifics of
the policies, increases the effectiveness of reducing sales to minors. The policies include:
1) Security Staff
2) Restrict alcohol to specific areas
3) All persons 21 or older wear non-transferable wristbands
4) Main entrance ID checks along with verification of valid ID at the point of sale for
anyone appearing under the age of 30
5) Require server training
6) Restrict number of drinks per sale per person
7) Have alcohol-free areas
8) Prevent people from leaving with alcohol
9) Stop sales before end of event
10) Reduce alcohol container size
11) Distinguishable cups for alcohol
If you have to pick just one…pick this one!
The most effective policy by itself: Restrict the number of drinks per sale per person.
b) Marketing and Promotion Suggestions:
1) Limit alcohol/tobacco advertising to sales booths only
2) Keep alcohol/tobacco ads and related promotions away from areas designated for
children and alcohol/tobacco-free areas
3) Limit alcohol/tobacco sponsorship
2) Develop procedures to enforce policies already in place
a) Components of high quality laws that are effective include:
1) Clear and straightforward procedures used to facilitate implementation
2) Penalties that are substantial enough to significantly deter the action
3) Enforcement and education publicity adequate to:
a. Increase knowledge about how to comply with the law
b. Achieve a highly perceived probability of getting caught violating this law
***Wyoming Example: Enforce Beer Keg Registration WY State Statute***
i) WY State Statute: Title 12 (Alcoholic Beverages), Chapter 2 (Wyoming Liquor Division), Article 5 (Beer Keg Registration)
Statute Description: Outlines procedures licensee shall follow in registering beer kegs upon purchase, such as recording the date and time of purchase, beer keg ID number, and the purchaser’s signature and license number. These records must be retained by the licensee for at least 90 days after receipt of sale.
ii) Suggestions:
(1) Develop protocol for compliance checks (community or statewide)
(2) Develop protocol for law enforcement to follow when a keg is found in a minor’s possession
(3) Increase public awareness of keg registration and consequences through media campaign, as simple as radio announcements or Public Service Announcements
(4) Require keg purchasers to sign a statement promising not to serve alcohol to underage individuals, which would serve as an education tool about potential liability for the purchaser
(5) Provide education regarding keg registration for sellers, law enforcement, and/or general public
References
Institute for Public Strategies. (2003). Issue briefing: Keeping your special event festive and safe: A planning guide for Ventura County communities. http://www.publicstrategies.org/pdfs/ventura_special_events_updated.pdf.
Nargisco, J., Smith, M., Orwin, R., & Buchanan, R. (2007) Environmental Strategies: Selection Guide, Reference List, and Examples of Implementation Guidelines. Publication for the CSAP SPF-SIG Evaluator’s Meeting.
Toomey, T., Erickson, D., Patrek, W., Fletcher, L., & Wagenaar, A. (2005) Illegal alcohol sales and use of alcohol control policies at community festivals. Public Health Reports, 120, 165-173.
Wagenaar, A., Harwood, E., Silianoff, C., & Toomey, T. (2005) Measuring public policy: The case of beer keg registration laws. Evaluation and Program Planning, 28, 359-367.
Also See:
“Prevention Strategies Coalitions Can Afford”
Author: CADCA – National Coalition Institute’s “Research into Action” publication (April 1, 2005)
http://www.coalitioninstitute.org/Coalition_Resources/ResearchIntoAction/2005Apr-BehavioralKernels.pdf