Navigating Post-Pandemic Alcohol Policy Shifts: Trends and Risk Mitigation

Over the past three years, state and local alcohol policies have undergone significant changes, marking a shift comparable to the end of Prohibition in 1933. While these changes present new opportunities for the hospitality industry, they also bring new challenges and liabilities. In this blog post, we explore noteworthy trends shaping post-pandemic alcohol policies and discuss strategies for mitigating associated risks.

Key Trends:

1. Reducing the Age to Serve:
   With 62% of operators facing labor shortages, several states are contemplating or have already passed laws lowering the age to serve alcohol. Notably, nine states, including Alabama, Kentucky, New Mexico, and Ohio, have enacted legislation to reduce the age to 18. Michigan lowered it to 17, and Iowa and West Virginia have set it at 16.
2. Alcohol To-Go:
   Twenty-three states have made alcohol to-go a permanent fixture, with an additional 11 allowing it on a long-term, albeit temporary basis.
3. Digital IDs:
   Seventeen states currently accept or plan to get some form of digital ID stored in a phone through either a state-provided web application or third-party software like Apple Wallet. Establishments must adapt to the growing expectation that digital IDs are valid and acceptable.
4. Lowering the Legal Driving BAC Limit:
   Following the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation in 2016, Utah became the first state to lower the legal driving limit from .08 to .05 in 2017. Since then, six other states have introduced legislation to adopt the lower limit.

Case Study: Historic Verdict in a Texas Dram Shop Case:
In 2017, a tragic drunk driving accident in Corpus Christi, Texas, resulted in a historic $301 billion verdict against a bar accused of overserving the responsible individual. The case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences establishments may face in liquor liability lawsuits.

Mitigating Risks:
All these trends bring inherent risks, including a younger and less experienced workforce serving alcohol, unique challenges in alcohol delivery transactions, adapting to new forms of IDs, and understanding legal intoxication thresholds. To mitigate these risks, operators must invest in training and certification programs for their staff. The TAP Series Alcohol training, in particular, offers a comprehensive solution, ensuring that establishments demonstrate reasonable efforts to prevent alcohol-related incidents.

Conclusion:
As the landscape of alcohol policies continues to evolve, operators in the hospitality industry must stay informed and proactively address associated risks. By embracing training and certification programs, establishments can protect themselves, their employees, and the community, fostering a safer and more responsible drinking environment. Learn more about TAP Series Alcohol training and take a proactive step towards reliable alcohol services.