USA: Beer Institute supports new Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act Legislation

The nation's brewers and beer importers pledged on September 25 their support for a revised bipartisan House bill to combat illegal underage drinking. Brewers have long supported the basic tenets of S.T.O.P., the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (H.R. 864/S.408). The revised bill highlights and enhances the traditional role of states, which are responsible for regulating alcohol beverage distribution and administering prevention and treatment activities in communities.

"Brewers are very pleased that a broad consensus has been reached with beer distributors, other industry allies and Congressional sponsors on this important legislation," said August A. Busch IV, Chairman of the Beer Institute. "We recognize the importance of fighting illegal underage drinking at the state and community level and are happy to now have a bill that effectively assists in this effort."

Other industry groups that contributed to this effort include the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), Brewers Association (BA), the Wine Institute (WI), the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and others.

"Fighting illegal underage drinking is critically important to brewers both as business leaders and as parents. We applaud the efforts of the bill sponsors and our industry allies that resulted in this agreement," said Beer Institute President Jeff Becker. "The revised House bill more effectively addresses illegal underage drinking issues and reinforces the constitutional authority of each state to license and oversee all three tiers of our industry -- brewers, wholesalers, and retailers."

The S.T.O.P. Act was first introduced in the House and Senate in 2004 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and then again in the current Congress.

Among some of the other elements included in the newly revised bill is authorization to continue funding the Ad Council's national adult-oriented public service campaign and formally establish and enhance the efforts of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD). In addition, the legislation empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report to Congress annually on the programs and policies of federal and state agencies charged with preventing underage drinking, adding an important layer of accountability to the process. HHS will devote particular attention to the role of the states in law enforcement to prevent underage persons from obtaining alcohol from commercial and non- commercial or social sources, including parents, older siblings, and other adults.

Brewers already spend millions of dollars annually fighting illegal underage drinking and other forms of alcohol abuse. In addition to working with Congressional and Administration officials and the government agencies highlighted in the bill, brewers will also continue to support programs that are proven, targeted, and effective, working with law enforcement, retailers, parents, educators, community groups and others to truly make a difference in this fight.

The Beer Institute, established in 1986, is the national trade association for the brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. The Institute is committed to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility: http://www.beerinstitute.org.

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