Legal drinking age and alcohol consumption

Utilizing samples from two states, one where the legal age for the possession and consumption of alcohol was 18 (Louisiana) and one where the legal age was 21 (North Carolina), we examine the assumption that restricting access to alcohol results in lower alcohol consumption rates for the target population (age 18–20). We find little support for this assumption, but considerable evidence that restrictive legislation drives younger drinkers underground, resulting in overall higher consumption rates for the target population.

[1]  M. Smith,et al.  Attitudes and Background Factors Related to Alcohol Use among College Students , 1980, Psychological reports.

[2]  R G Smart,et al.  Effects of reducing the legal alcohol-purchasing age on drinking and drinking problems. A review of empirical studies. , 1977, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[3]  R. Bales.  Cultural differences in rates of alcoholism. , 1946, Quarterly journal of studies on alcohol.

[4]  A. Meyers,et al.  Impact of legislation raising the legal drinking age in Massachusetts from 18 to 20. , 1983, American journal of public health.

[5]  P. Whitehead,et al.  Fatal crashes among Michigan youth following reduction of the legal drinking age. , 1975, Journal of studies on alcohol.

[6]  R. Voas,et al.  HISTORICAL TRENDS IN ALCOHOL USE AND DRIVING BY YOUNG AMERICANS , 1980 .

[7]  C. N. Alexander,.  Alcohol and Adolescent Rebellion , 1967 .

[8]  G. Barnes,et al.  Predictors of alcohol use among college students in New York State. , 1983, Journal of American college health : J of ACH.

[9]  Robert L. Hammond,et al.  Legal drinking at 18 or 21 -- does it make any difference? , 1973 .

[10]  R. Saltz,et al.  College student drinking studies 1976–1985. , 1986 .

[11]  Evelyn Vingilis,et al.  Youth and the forbidden fruit: Experiences with changes in legal drinking age in North America , 1984 .

[12]  L. Filkins,et al.  THE EFFECT OF LOWER LEGAL DRINKING AGE ON YOUTH CRASH INVOLVEMENT , 1974 .

[13]  R. Zylman.  Fatal crashes among Michigan youth following reduction of legal drinking age. , 1974, Quarterly journal of studies on alcohol.

[14]  Alexander C. Wagenaar,et al.  Preventing Highway Crashes by Raising The Legal Minimum Age for Drinking: An Empirical Confirmation , 1982 .