Regulatory policies for online alcohol access control: a comparative scoping review of international approaches.

Abstract

The rapid growth of online alcohol sales, delivery services, and digital marketing has increased alcohol availability and heightened public health concerns, particularly among adolescents. However, regulatory responses remain inconsistent and vary significantly across regions. This scoping review synthesizes global regulatory approaches to online alcohol access, encompassing both established Western models and emerging Asian frameworks, and identifies key cross-national patterns and policy gaps. This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews) and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. Searches of four electronic databases were complemented by a supplementary gray literature search targeting specific Asian jurisdictions to minimize geographic bias. The identified sources included policies and peer-reviewed studies on online alcohol sales, delivery practices, age-verification procedures, and digital marketing regulations. Data were systematically organized by regulatory domain and analyzed using a comparative socio-political framework (liberalism vs. paternalism) to interpret cross-national differences. The analysis of 34 documents across five regulatory domains revealed a distinct global divide. Western nations predominantly rely on co-regulatory models that frequently suffer from significant enforcement gaps, whereas Asian jurisdictions employ strict structural barriers. These include mandatory digital real-name authentication, "Smart Order" systems, and joint platform liability, designed to effectively restrict underage access where Western self-regulation has historically failed. To address global enforcement gaps, future policies must evolve from "soft" co-regulation to "hard" technical mandates. Integrating Asian-style digital identity systems with strict platform liability offers a viable pathway to effectively restrict underage access and reduce alcohol-related harm.