Despite significant progress during the past 20 years, underage drinking is a complex problem that persists in communities across the nation.

The Texas Hospitality Association (THA) is dedicated to eliminating underage drinking and participates in multiple efforts to combat this problem.

THA believes the fight against underage drinking requires a two-pronged approach:

- The promotion of responsible decision-making regarding beverage alcohol, and

- Comprehensive public education efforts

THA's program to prevent underage drinking also focuses on the crucial role parents play in restricting youth access to alcohol and impeding adults from furnishing alcohol to people under the minimum drinking age.

The Century Council Involvement

In partnership with The Century Council, THA provides resources to assist parents, educators, counselors and other practitioners in their conversations with youth on how to make responsible decisions regarding beverage alcohol and the dangers of underage drinking. Our materials are available to individuals, schools, state and local government agencies and community-based organizations.

THA’s public education programs communicate the consequences of underage drinking and the role of parents in preventing the problem. Many of these Century Council programs, including Ask.Listen.Learn., Brandon Tells His Story and Girl Talk, provide guidance for parents.

THA also support programs that encourage responsible retailing by licensed establishments.

THA frequently joins with elected officials across the state to fight underage drinking. Elected officials often team with The Century Council and THA to launch our prevention programs in elementary, middle and high schools, such as the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign.

We Don't Serve Teens

The Century Council's and THA’s We Don’t Serve Teens campaign is an initiative designed to deter underage drinking by educating adults that providing underage drinkers with alcohol is unsafe, illegal and irresponsible. The We Don’t Serve Teens campaign, launched in 2008 and coordinated with The Century Council, seeks to inform adults on the severe legal consequences of providing alcohol to minors, through television and radio public service announcements, and point-of-sale items including label pins, cold case stickers, posters and register signs.

Parental Awareness

The 65% Campaign, another Century Council and THA public education initiative, is based on recent survey data stating that 65 percent of underage youth obtain alcohol from family and friends.

The Century Council's and THA's 65% Campaign encourages parents to play a more active role in keeping alcohol out of the hands of teens. The key component to the campaign is a 30-second Public Service Announcement, buttons and informational cards that provide tips for parents on how to talk with their children about alcohol. These posters, decals, buttons and employee information brochures have been distributed free of charge to retailers and wholesalers nationwide.