What You Should Know About Serving Minors Alcohol

Serving alcohol to minors is illegal and unethical!

Unfortunately, many establishments continue to do so, putting minors and themselves at risk. One of the ways that minors gain access to alcohol is through the use of fake IDs. However, technological advancements have made it easier to verify the age of individuals attempting to purchase alcohol, making it more difficult for minors to get alcohol illegally. 

Here, we’ll explore the prime reasons behind serving minors alcohol, the consequences, and the benefits of using age-verification ID scanner machines.

Use of Fake IDs

Using fake IDs is a common method that minors use to purchase alcohol. In most cases, these fake IDs are made to resemble legitimate driver’s licenses or government-issued identification cards.

It allows them to deceive bartenders, bouncers, and other staff members into believing they are of legal age to purchase alcohol.

Fake IDs Bypass Manual ID Scanning

Many businesses still rely on manual ID scanning techniques to verify the age of individuals attempting to purchase alcohol. However, this process can be bypassed in several ways. 

E.g., minors can use a fake ID, a borrowed ID from their sibling or friend, or simply use cash to purchase alcohol without being asked for ID.

Why Serving Alcohol to Minors is a BIG Problem

Serving alcohol to minors is a severe problem in the United States for many reasons, leading to various negative consequences. 

FACT 1: According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2020, approximately 7.6 million underage people between the ages of 12 and 20 consumed alcohol in the past month, and around 3.1 million had an episode of binge drinking in the past month.

Serving alcohol to minors is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences for both the person serving the alcohol and the establishment. 

FACT 2: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, underage drinking can cause accidents, injuries, and even death.

Alcohol consumption can also lead to risky behaviors such as driving under the influence, unprotected sex, and violence. The underage consumption of alcohol can also result in long-term health problems such as liver damage and brain development issues.

FACT 3: A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that alcohol is a contributing factor in the deaths of around 4,300 underage people in the United States each year, including deaths from motor vehicle crashes, homicides, and suicides.

The study also found that underage drinking is associated with an increased risk of academic problems, social problems, and alcohol dependence later in life.

In addition to the immediate and long-term consequences, underage drinking also has high economic costs. 

FACT 4: According to the CDC, underage drinking results in over $24 billion in economic costs per year, including healthcare costs, work loss, and criminal justice costs.

Age-verification ID Scanner – Helps in Combating Serving Minors Alcohol

Age-verification ID scanners can significantly reduce the likelihood of serving alcohol to minors. These machines scan an individual’s identification card or driving license and verify their age by comparing it to a database of valid IDs. If the ID is not valid or the individual is not of legal age to purchase alcohol, the machine will prevent the sale from taking place.

Numerous Benefits of ID Scanner Machines

Age-verification ID scanners are widely used in various industries, including bars, restaurants, casinos, and retail stores. These scanners can help to prevent minors from accessing age-restricted products and have numerous benefits, including:

Improved Accuracy: Age-verification ID scanners are highly accurate and can quickly determine ID authenticity. This helps to prevent errors that can occur with the manual checking of IDs.

Reduced Liability: By using ID scanners, establishments can significantly reduce their liability for selling age-restricted products to minors. This can help to prevent legal issues and costly fines.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Age-verification scanners can help speed up the purchasing process, improving the overall customer experience. Customers don’t have to wait in long queues to have their IDs checked manually.

Real-Time Data Collection: ID scanning machines can collect real-time customer data, including their age and the time of their visit. This data can be used to track customer behavior and preferences, which can help businesses to understand their target audience.

Customizable Settings: ID scanners can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business. This can include setting age limits for certain products, such as tobacco or alcohol, and setting up alerts for expired IDs.

Over To You

Serving alcohol to minors is illegal, unethical, and dangerous. Fake IDs have made it easier for minors to obtain alcohol, but technological advancements have made it easier to combat this issue.

Age-verification ID scanners are a valuable tool in preventing the sale of alcohol to minors while also providing numerous other benefits to establishments. By using these modern ID scanners, businesses can help ensure the safety of their customers and avoid legal and financial consequences.