Enhanced enforcement of laws prohibiting sale of alcohol to minors is recommended on the basis of sufficient evidence of effectiveness in limiting underage alcohol purchases. Further research will be required to assess the degree to which these changes in retailer behavior affect underage drinking. Enhanced enforcement programs initiate or increase the frequency of retailer compliance checks for laws against the sale of alcohol to minors in a community. Retailer compliance checks, or “sting operations,” are conducted by or coordinated with local law enforcement or alcohol beverage control agencies, and violators receive legal or administrative sanctions. Enhanced enforcement programs are often conducted as part of multicomponent, community-based efforts to reduce underage drinking. Many also include strategies to increase perceived risk of detection by publicizing the increased enforcement activities and cautioning proprietors against selling alcohol to minors. These messages can be delivered either by using mass media or by sending letters to all local alcohol retailers.

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Effect Behavioral Change, Reduce Risk or Incidence of Disease or Condition, Community- & Faith-Based Organizations, Business & Private Sector, Government & Policymakers, Law Enforcement, Behavioral & Social, Community Intervention, Environmental & Policy, Primary Prevention, Social Marketing & Media, Families & Households