Beginning July 1, Tennessee will be the first state in the U.S. to require universal carding for purchases of beer for off-premises consumption.The Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act is hailed by proponents as an innovative and strong step in the fight against underage drinking.

Jarron Springer, president of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association, concedes older customers, who are obviously of legal age to buy beer, may not be too thrilled with the mandatory carding. However, he says the cooperation of those customers will help busy clerks establish requesting an ID as part of their working routine, helping fight underage purchases.