The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The state's newest effort to curb underage drinking is an advertising campaign using 1980s pop-culture references.

Signs posted at places where liquor is sold will say, for instance, "If you don't know who shot J.R., prepare to be carded."

Other variations include, "If you've never done the moonwalk ..." or "If you think a turntable is a piece of furniture ..."

Officials hope the signs will cause minors to think twice before trying to buy alcohol.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety says one of every four Ohio liquor stores or bars that state agents visited this year was cited for alcohol sale to minors.

The campaign is sponsored by the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers and based in Washington, D.C.

Jay Hibbard, the council's regional director, said part of the challenge in curbing underage drinking is convincing minors that trying to buy alcohol is not worth the risk of being arrested.

"For a lot of them, they believe they won't be the one caught," Mr. Hibbard said.