The University of Minnesota’s Division of Epidemiology and Community Health recently released a study suggesting that for intoxicated and underage drinkers, professional sports events may be easy places to buy. The research took place in 16 different venues covering 5 different states. To perform the study, two types of fan were employed. One group ware individuals that acted intoxicated, the other were overage, but deemed to look as if they were underage.
Reviewing the study finds no sport of the “Big Four” was better than another as far a sales. Intoxicated acting patrons were found to be served three out of every four attempts and one in four underage looking fan was served without a request for identification. In each case, sales such as these would be illegal sales and could subject the vendor to civil liability. Of greater concern should be what happens when the intoxicated fan drives home.
Hopefully this study will lead to greater training and vigilance by the vendors, but also do something to prevent the additional bad choice of these buyers driving home.
