MINNEAPOLIS, June 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. study shows that bars that hold regular staff meetings and have full-liquor licenses, are less likely to sell alcohol to intoxicated patrons.
Kathleen M. Lenk, research coordinator with the Alcohol Epidemiology Program at the University of Minnesota, said the study establishments that held staff meetings at least once a month were less likely to sell to apparently intoxicated patrons.
"We basically predicted this relationship, given that our manager-training program recommends frequent staff meetings as a strategy to decrease illegal alcohol sales," said Lenk.
Although it is illegal in most states to sell alcohol to intoxicated persons, the practice is still common, according to the researchers.
In the study, actors posing as intoxicated customers were able to purchase alcohol in 65 percent of their attempts at 231 Midwestern bars and restaurants, according to the study published in July issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
Establishments with full liquor licenses -- as opposed to only beer or wine licenses -- were also less likely to sell to intoxicated patrons.
