A Note on Interpretation of APIS data: It is frequently helpful to consider APIS Underage Drinking policy topics in connection with one another rather than in isolation, in order to avoid misinterpretation of the data. For example, all States prohibit minors (a term widely used in this context to refer to persons under the age of 21) from possessing alcoholic beverages, but not all States prohibit minors from purchasing alcoholic beverages. The fact that a State does not prohibit underage purchasing should not be interpreted as meaning that the State permits such activity, since the minor would have to violate the possession prohibition in order to complete the purchase. States may create separate offenses because they consider illegal purchase to be a more serious violation. These types of overlapping provisions are most common regarding the Underage Possession/Consumption/Internal Possession of Alcohol policy topic. Note also that various exceptions may apply that may not be identical across the policies. For example, a parent may allow his/her underage child to possess alcohol in any private location but may be prohibited from furnishing the alcohol without exception.