The Sale and Regulation of Alcohol in the United States

The recent debate over alcohol regulations has become the topic of the day in Turkey. I’m not particularly interested in alcohol, but I may have a few [drinks] on deserving occasions — I’m not a teetotaler.

But I exploded upon hearing the bombastic, misleading crap about alcohol in America [being] used to guide the conversation about alcohol regulation in Turkey. So I am taking it upon myself to enlighten my readers about alcohol sales and service regulations in the United States. Maybe it will be of use to those who are in charge of putting together the rules here at home.

Up until 1986, every state had its own minimum age for purchasing alcohol; from this year forward, every state adopted 21 as the minimum age for buying alcohol. This change in the law affected the way driver’s licenses were printed — as you know, teens of at least 16.5 years of age may obtain a driver’s license in the United States. For this reason, up until age 21, motorists in the state of Virginia, for instance, have their driver’s license photos taken with a side profile. After turning 21, they have it taken facing forward. This helps cashiers by allowing them to merely glance at an I.D. in order to see whether or not the owner is of age to buy alcohol.

As for the sale of spirits, generally beer and wine are available from grocery stores and corner markets in nearly all states. Vodka, whiskey, gin and other “heavy liquor,” as they call it, is sold strictly in alcohol specialty stores or, as in the case of Virginia, state liquor stores known as “ABC.”

Prices for alcohol vary depending on the tax levied by the state in which it is sold. It is illegal to buy alcohol in one state and carry it into another. I’m not talking about a bottle or so, but cases full of alcohol. The same thing goes for the transportation of cigarettes. You’re in for it if the police catch you crossing state lines with a case full of beer or wine.

On the consumption end of things, most states mandate that places selling alcohol must be closed by 2 a.m. People can’t go around drinking in public, nor can actors be shown drinking in TV commercials. The drink can be on the table, but no one can actually consume it on camera.

Now on to the topic of children and their presence in places that serve alcohol: Children under the age of 21 may be in a place that serves alcoholic beverages. However, even if mom and dad are with them, they may not be served anything alcoholic. During the meal, the server will ask for identification and then take their order accordingly.

Most places are known for either food or alcohol. Kids are allowed into places that do over 50 percent of their business in food service. In places where at least 60 percent of income is from alcohol, children cannot enter into the bar area. I know you are going to say that there’s been lots of talk about young people getting into alcohol-related traffic accidents in the U.S. This is normal. Kids usually get into their parents’ liquor cabinets and easily become drunk beyond belief.

The same is true for cigarettes. It’s illegal to sell cigarettes to persons below the age of 18. It is also a crime to purchase cigarettes or alcohol and then pass them along to a youth who is too young to purchase them for his or herself.

Anyone caught doing this is bound to get handcuffed and thrown in the slammer for at least one night. The next day these folks are hauled in front of a judge. Penalties for driving under the influence are also quite severe.