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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Traci L. Toomey, PhD, Lindsey Fabian, MPH, and Darin J. Erickson, PhD. School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. Second St. Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-626-9070, toomey@epi.umn.edu

Reducing youth access to alcohol is a promising approach for preventing alcohol-related problems among youth. Although much is known about youth access to alcohol from commercial sources (e.g., liquor stores), little research has focused on social sources (e.g., friends). We conduct a brief study to assess one type of social source of alcohol for youth -- adults who agree to purchase alcohol for youth when approached outside alcohol establishments (i.e., shoulder tapping). Our two primary aims were to assess: (1) the percent of adults who will purchase alcohol for underage youth when approached outside an alcohol establishment, and (2) characteristics of youth, adults, establishments, and communities that are related to shoulder tap outcomes. During the first phase of the study, pseudo-underage requesters (i.e., individuals who appeared to be under age 21) approached randomly selected adults outside alcohol businesses and asked them to purchase alcohol for them. For the second phase, we developed criteria for selecting a specific adult population based on characteristics of adults youth indicated they typically approached when shoulder tapping. The pseudo-underage requesters then approached a random sample of adults who met these criteria and asked them to purchase alcohol for them. We will present the results of this study as well as provide an overview of focus group discussions with college students about their most commons sources of alcohol. Information from this presentation may provide guidance for communities developing policies and determining how to best use their limited resources for education and enforcement.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

(
• Describe one type of social source of alcohol used by underage youth; (
• Describe what percentage of adults will purchase alcohol for youth when approached outside alcohol establishments; (
• Describe characteristics of adults most likely to agree to purchase alcohol for underage youth when approached outside alcohol establishemnts; and (
• Describe common sources of alcohol used by college students.

Keywords: Alcohol, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation