Minimum legal drinking age laws
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
mixed evidence
Evidence quality
low
What the evidence says
The intervention aims to lower alcohol use among young people and reduce alcohol-related harm through the implementation of minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws. Evidence indicates mixed findings on its effectiveness, with some studies suggesting reductions in specific crimes, such as drunk driving, while others show no effect or even an increase. Overall, the evidence's quality is low, stemming from a systematic review of 132 studies, of which 62 had applicable crime outcomes.
How it works
The mechanism by which MLDA laws are intended to work is not clearly defined in the review. However, it is suggested that effective enforcement may enhance their impact on reducing alcohol-related harm among young people.
Implementation
The review did not provide specific implementation details, but it highlighted low enforcement levels as a barrier to effectiveness. Recommendations include increasing enforcement rates and addressing access to alcohol by minors.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.