GETTING TOUGH in TENNESSEE

ATTENTION
SENIOR CITIZENS if
you’re buying beer in Tennessee don’t forget your ID – you
can’t buy without it. Tennessee recently became the first
state in the nation to require universal carding, without
exception, of anyone who buys beer for off-premises
consumption. The Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act, designed
to curb underage drinking, took effect in July. It will
expire after one year to give lawmakers and vendors a chance
to review its effectiveness. Oddly enough, the legislation
does not apply to the sale of wine and liquor purchases or
to beer sales at restaurants and bars. Although older
customers who are obviously of legal age to buy beer could
be put out by the requirement, officials hope they will
cooperate with clerks. Many stores had already begun carding
everyone buying beer. John Kelly, chief operating officer
for Roadrunner Markets, implemented the policy last year.
Carding everyone makes it less likely that a clerk
mistakenly sell beer to someone who is underage, he said,
and regular customers quickly got used to having to show an
ID. Most now arrive at the counter with their identification
in hand, even those with walkers.