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Millions of minors either buy alcohol online with ease or know an underage friend who does, according to a survey released today by the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. (WSWA). A related audit of states conducted by WSWA confirms legislators are moving to increase online alcohol sales despite almost no compliance checks or enforcement by state regulatory agencies due largely to a lack of resources.

A new survey conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU)* confirms that a significant number of teens purchase beer, wine and liquor online. Specifically, TRU’s survey of 14- to 20-year-olds confirms:

* 3.1 million minors (12%) ages 14-20 report having a friend who has ordered alcohol online.
* Two percent (551,000) of those ages 14-20 say they personally have bought alcohol online.
* Nearly one in 10 (9%) of those ages 14-20 have visited a site that sells alcohol.
* One-third — nearly 8.9 million ages 14-20 nationwide — are open to the possibility of an online alcohol purchase before age 21.
* Seventy-five percent say their parents aren’t able to control what they do on the Internet.
* Among those ages 14-20 who have tried alcohol, 75% tried liquor, followed by wine at 64%, beer at 60% and wine coolers at 55%.

In the past year, at least 20 states passed laws expanding online sales of alcohol outside of the traditional system of safeguards associated with face- to-face alcohol sales in bars, restaurants and retail stores. While states routinely monitor offline alcohol providers and take enforcement actions when needed, WSWA’s audit*** of lead alcohol enforcement officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia confirms that since 2002:

* 39 states and D.C. did not conduct a single online alcohol compliance check;
* Six states most likely did not conduct a single online alcohol compliance check, since they could not recall ever having conducted one; and
* Only five states conducted isolated online alcohol compliance checks (none did so regularly). In every case, decoy minors were able to buy alcohol online easily and with no ID check.

A growing number of individuals and organizations are seeking a ban on direct wine and other forms of alcohol sales. The WSWA-affiliated website has more than 24,000 individual supporters who oppose online alcohol sales. They are joined by a number of safety, medical, law enforcement and religious groups calling for stronger alcohol sales, distribution and access laws.