How does the three-tier system help prevent underage drinking?
Responsible, accountable alcohol sales are the best way to ensure responsible alcohol access and prevent underage access. The three-tier system requires alcohol purchases to pass from licensed manufacturers to licensed distributors and finally to consumers through licensed retailers. This structure provides seller accountability for alcohol sales to minors, and compliance with state tax laws. Allowing anonymous sales via the Internet, mail order or phone would open the floodgates to unaccountable beer, wine and liquor sales – with no effective regulations to stop those who are selling to minors, avoiding state taxes or disregarding other state laws regulating alcohol.
