Category: Policy

I. Beliefs about Alcohol Policy. Many groups and individuals oppose alcohol monopoly privatization. And public employee unions adamantly fight against it for obvious reasons. In addition, many temperance-oriented groups also strongly oppose increasing the availability of alcohol. That includes limiting the Number of retail stores that can sell alcohol. Days and hours of alcohol sales. […]

I. The Question. Does drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks cause more alcohol consumption? Do drinkers feel more intoxicated? Does it lead to more risk-taking behavior? These are important questions. And they’re hotly debated. The concerns have led to laws, regulations, and public policies. Many people and organizations suggest that caffeine in energy drinks can […]

The minimum drinking age on cruise ships varies, even within the same cruise line. The U.S. has the highest minimum drinking age in the world. This creates numerous headaches for both cruise lines and passengers. In most cruise destinations, the minimum drinking age is 18. You’ll find a link to each cruise line’s home page. […]

I. What is Moonshine? Moonshine is slang for distilled spirits made without governmental authorization. The term may have originated because much of the distilling, packaging and distribution was done at night. Or it may have come from “moonraker.” That was an early English word for a smuggler. Other common terms for illegally-made spirits are mountain […]

The Amethyst Initiative is a group of college and university presidents across the U.S. They promote public discussion about the unintended consequences of current alcohol policies. This includes the minimum legal drinking age of 21. Amethyst Initiative presidents  invite new ideas on how best to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol use. Dr. […]

by Lynne Breaux What can we learn from the French about drinking alcohol? A recent sojourn of Paris’ splendid cafe society spotlighted the French respect for, and the American disrespect for alcohol. Many enjoyable hours were spent imbibing in historic, treasured brasseries and never was an intoxicated patron observed. What was observed were cheerful friends and […]

Overview The majority of states in the U.S. permit adults age 18 to 20 to tend bar in on-premises establishments. Below is the minimum age for bartending in each U.S. state. Generally the term “bartender” refers to a person who dispenses alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, “server” refers to a waitperson. See the minimum […]

Overview Thirty-seven states and D.C. permit adults age 18 or older to serve alcoholic beverages in on-premises establishments. Only three states require a server to be age 21. One state permits persons age 17 to serve alcoholic beverages. Generally the term server refers to a waitperson (waiter or waitress). On the other hand “bartender” refers […]

Alcohol Amnesty Alcohol medical emergency amnesty policies at colleges and universities are to save lives. They give a higher priority to protecting students’ safety and lives than to enforcing alcohol rules. Hundreds of colleges and universities have medical alcohol emergency amnesty policies. Clemson University implemented such a policy after a major tragedy. The existence of an […]

Alcohol Enforcement is Important Alcohol is part of the University experience. Frat parties, bar hopping and tailgating before football games are just as collegiate as classes and exams. Then there’s alcohol enforcement. Yet it caught most everyone by surprise when [University of] Virginia’s new Alcohol Beverage Control [ABC] officer stationed in Charlottesville started bringing down […]