NEW STUDY: APPARENTLY, MINORS DO ORDER ALCOHOL ONLINE
In what can be viewed as a huge victory for 3-tier advocates, the NBC Nightly News aired a story last night based on research sponsored by the WSWA and conducted by TRU (Teenage Research Unlimited) showing that millions of teenagers in the U.S. have ordered alcohol on the internet, or have a friend that has done so.
The study confirms “that millions of teenagers have ordered alcohol online, or have a friend who has ordered online. The survey provides hard evidence about teenagers’ online activity, their purchases of alcohol, their awareness of the ability to purchase alcohol online, and their levels of parental oversight,” said Juanita Duggan, WSWA president and CEO in a statement.
As I thumbed through the various stories covering this issue today, I noticed two clear angles concerning TRU’s survey: underage purchases online is either considered “widespread” or “not that bad.” Since the numbers of teens that have actually purchased booze online aren’t huge, it leaves an avenue for media outlets to spin the data however they see fit. Nevertheless, teenagers are using the web to access alcohol, making it a viable argument for advocates of the 3-tier who have often warned that courts’ ruling in favor of direct shipping are making it easier for teens to skirt face-to-face sales and buy alcohol online.
The survey found that 2% of youths ages 14-20 reported having purchased alcohol online, and that 12% reported having a friend who had ordered alcohol online. More than a third thinks they can easily access alcohol and more than a half think they won’t get caught.
NBC concluded in their Nightly News that “clearly there is a problem,” after their reporters ordered booze over the internet and found that:
“Two packages were delivered to a state where mail order alcohol is illegal – one was delivered to a 15-year-old who happened to be standing in the front yard, no questions asked. Only one came marked as alcohol. The others came in brown paper wrappers. There is no indication anywhere wine is in one, grain alcohol in the other. And some online sellers blatantly flaunt the law. One Website says it ships ‘discreetly in plain packaging.’”
According to USA Today, Tom Riley, spokesman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, warned parents to be on the lookout. Said Tom:
"While online sales of alcohol have not yet been a big part of the addiction problem, parents need to learn what teens already know: that the drug dealer who used to lurk in the seedy side of town is now just an e-mail or a URL away from your home."
Juanita Duggan agreed, calling the results "shocking" and said she expects the number of teens ordering alcohol online to rise. "This is new, hard evidence that should really shake up this debate about direct sales. Every state has a policy choice to make," stated Juanita.
The recent findings could push states to take another look at their direct shipping laws. Not only did the survey verify that teenagers like to and are able to purchase alcohol online, but it also found non-compliance in the general enforcement of direct shipping laws. It also counters the notion that teenagers don’t order wine, they don’t have access to credit cards, and they won’t wait for delivery.
However, some trade groups cry fallacy. “Free the Grapes,” a non-profit California trade association in favor of direct wine shipments, called WSWA’s research a “‘chicken little’ strategy.” Said the association in a press release:
“The wine wholesaler cartel today trotted out a tired argument already dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Trade Commission, and state alcohol regulators. The intent of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America's "survey" on underage access is to deflect attention from their real motivation: economic protectionism.”
The study confirms “that millions of teenagers have ordered alcohol online, or have a friend who has ordered online. The survey provides hard evidence about teenagers’ online activity, their purchases of alcohol, their awareness of the ability to purchase alcohol online, and their levels of parental oversight,” said Juanita Duggan, WSWA president and CEO in a statement.
As I thumbed through the various stories covering this issue today, I noticed two clear angles concerning TRU’s survey: underage purchases online is either considered “widespread” or “not that bad.” Since the numbers of teens that have actually purchased booze online aren’t huge, it leaves an avenue for media outlets to spin the data however they see fit. Nevertheless, teenagers are using the web to access alcohol, making it a viable argument for advocates of the 3-tier who have often warned that courts’ ruling in favor of direct shipping are making it easier for teens to skirt face-to-face sales and buy alcohol online.
The survey found that 2% of youths ages 14-20 reported having purchased alcohol online, and that 12% reported having a friend who had ordered alcohol online. More than a third thinks they can easily access alcohol and more than a half think they won’t get caught.
NBC concluded in their Nightly News that “clearly there is a problem,” after their reporters ordered booze over the internet and found that:
“Two packages were delivered to a state where mail order alcohol is illegal – one was delivered to a 15-year-old who happened to be standing in the front yard, no questions asked. Only one came marked as alcohol. The others came in brown paper wrappers. There is no indication anywhere wine is in one, grain alcohol in the other. And some online sellers blatantly flaunt the law. One Website says it ships ‘discreetly in plain packaging.’”
According to USA Today, Tom Riley, spokesman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, warned parents to be on the lookout. Said Tom:
"While online sales of alcohol have not yet been a big part of the addiction problem, parents need to learn what teens already know: that the drug dealer who used to lurk in the seedy side of town is now just an e-mail or a URL away from your home."
Juanita Duggan agreed, calling the results "shocking" and said she expects the number of teens ordering alcohol online to rise. "This is new, hard evidence that should really shake up this debate about direct sales. Every state has a policy choice to make," stated Juanita.
The recent findings could push states to take another look at their direct shipping laws. Not only did the survey verify that teenagers like to and are able to purchase alcohol online, but it also found non-compliance in the general enforcement of direct shipping laws. It also counters the notion that teenagers don’t order wine, they don’t have access to credit cards, and they won’t wait for delivery.
However, some trade groups cry fallacy. “Free the Grapes,” a non-profit California trade association in favor of direct wine shipments, called WSWA’s research a “‘chicken little’ strategy.” Said the association in a press release:
“The wine wholesaler cartel today trotted out a tired argument already dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Trade Commission, and state alcohol regulators. The intent of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America's "survey" on underage access is to deflect attention from their real motivation: economic protectionism.”
posted at 12:14 PM
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