Trapp GSA, et al. - Whether proximity to liquor stores at age 14 years was associated with alcohol intake at ages 14, 17, and 20 years, was determined in this prospective study. Given that cross-sectional studies have already reported associations between liquor store availability and alcohol use among adolescents. It was revealed in prospective analyses that liquor store proximity at age 14 years significantly predicted alcohol intake at age 17 years but not at age 20 years, whereas in cross-sectional analyses (age 14 years), having a liquor store within 800 m of school was shown to be related to ever having part of an alcoholic drink. Overall, liquor store availability in early adolescence may confer risk for alcohol intake in early and middle, but not late, adolescence.