People polled in a survey for the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania were split roughly 50-50 over whether beer sales should be expanded to supermarkets and convenience stores.

But nearly 55 percent of the 772 respondents told Terry Madonna Opinion Research that easier access to beer beyond licensed distributors would lead to more underage drinking or other alcohol-related problems, according to the poll.

The results of the poll, conducted last month among Pennsylvania adults, were released this week.

About 49 percent opposed expanding sales while 48 percent favored it.

David Shipula, president of the association, said the poll was sought to provide information about public safety in regard to expanded beer sales.

"A lot of these polls we hear out there are sort of nonscientific," Mr. Shipula said. "It might be a grocery store asking their customers, 'Would it be more convenient?' "

Mr. Shipula said he wanted a more rigorous type of survey, so he contacted pollster G. Terry Madonna.

The group is opposed to beer being sold in supermarkets and convenience stores for both public safety and business reasons, Mr. Shipula said.

Mr. Shipula said underage cashiers, for instance, could concoct "schemes" to sell to underage drinkers.

"We truly believe there's a public safety issue there," Mr. Shipula said.

State Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville, had not seen the poll, but he quickly dismissed its relevance. He said it was misleading because there is no bill proposing that beer sales be allowed in supermarket or convenience store aisles.

"This sounds like somebody protecting their own turf," Mr. Logan said.

"They're saying that every supermarket is bad because they'll allow their clerks to sell underage? What an asinine comment and commentary from the Malt Beverage Distributors Association."

The poll also showed that 71 percent of people want the option of buying beer from distributorships in quantities smaller than the permitted 24-count case.