The utility of keg registration laws: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE

Many states have implemented keg registration policies to reduce adolescent binge drinking and related consequences. We examined the association between the strength and comprehensiveness of these policies and measures of beer consumption in the general population and adolescent binge drinking, as well as drinking and driving.

METHODS

Data concerning the presence and stringency of the states' keg registration laws were secured from the Alcohol Policy Information System. Keg law ratings for each state were correlated with its (1) beer consumption per capita, as well as the 30-day prevalence of the following: (2) adolescent binge drinking, (3) adolescents who drive after drinking, and (4) adolescents who ride with a driver who has been drinking, as assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

RESULTS

As hypothesized, the stringency and comprehensiveness of state level keg registration laws were moderately (-.31 to -.41) and negatively associated with each of these outcomes. However, these relationships largely attenuated when controlling for per capita beer sales.

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal research is needed to examine the relationships between keg registration policies and levels of adolescent alcohol consumption, hazardous drinking, and driving after drinking.