Free Resources from the Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace 

 For the second year, Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace has produced the 2012 Issue Briefs for States, a concise, easy-to-understand document that addresses common alcohol regulatory issues. These briefs, designed for policymakers, media members and others, underscore the importance of comprehensive alcohol regulations that level the business playing field and, ultimately, help ensure public health and safety. Among the new topics covered this year: the effectiveness of the "three-tiered system" of regulation in eliminating counterfeit alcohol in the United States; and the case against lower alcohol prices.

Alcohol regulations are designed to balance availability, price, and promotional practices. Our regulatory systems also provide cost-effective tax collection and protection from dangerous products. They work to curb problems with underage drinking, public disorder, and excessive consumption. Most alcohol regulatory systems aim to foster moderation in alcohol consumption.

For instance, do you know what business practices can produce social harm? Several normal business practices-legitimate for other commodities-can be harmful with the sale of alcohol.

*             Marketing to frequent buyers to get them to increase purchases: A major portion of frequent purchases of alcohol are alcoholics, heavy drinkers and underage youth. Efforts to market to this population will likely increase addiction, heavy use and underage drinking.

*             Volume discounts, coupons and price incentives: These techniques are usually used to gain new customers or encourage current customers to enter the "frequent buyer" category. With alcohol, this could induce people to become heavy users or addicts.

*             Marketing for future customers: Forward looking businesses often try to capture the hearts of young people as future customers. However, with alcohol that would mean marketing to an underage audience where alcohol is already a major problem.

For a complete downloadable copy of the 2012 Issue Briefs for States document, as well as other resources, go to www.healthyalcoholmarket.com.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

If the proposed changes to regulations governing retail distribution of alcohol are passed it will be like the "the wild, wild West," according to one New Preston package store owner.

William Fore, owner of County Wine and Spirits, located on Route 202, plans to be one of more than a dozen store owners taking part in a rally tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. at Goshen Wine and Spirits at 61 Sharon Turnpike in Goshen.

The package store owners will protest House Bill 5021, which calls for a host of changes to Connecticut liquor laws that Mr. Fore says would put many small, independently owned package stores at a disadvantage in competing with major retailers. It would, he contends, result in many smaller stores being forced out of business.

A petition opposing the bill is being circulated online and hard copies of the petition are available in many package stores. Mike Higgins, owner of Litchfield Hills Wine Market has gathered more than 3,000 signatures to date. The legislature will hold a public hearing on the bill next Tuesday.

H.B. 5021 would do away with the old Blue Laws that prohibit Sunday sales of alcohol and would extend daily sales hours to 10 p.m., provisions more popular with the public than they are with store owners. Mr. Fore said small stores such as his would not enjoy many more sales as the result of the longer hours, but would have to incur additional expenses to remain open.

In a meeting of area legislators and local selectmen in Cornwall Thursday morning, state Sen. Andrew Roraback said that the Sunday opening provision is "just a red herring."

To read the full story, click this link: http://countytimes.com/articles/2012/02/23/news/doc4f46d6a9a3ba8149496016.txt

Source: Litchfield County Times

 Indiana State Excise Police Target College Campuses

Feb. 21, 2012

The Intensive College Enforcement, or ICE, program is being enforced in three college communities in the state - near Indiana University in Bloomington, Ball State in Muncie, and DePauw in Greencastle.

Indiana State Excise Police Public Information Officer Travis Thickstun says the agency is not just looking to hand out more tickets. They want to change students' behaviors.

"If we can see a reduction in the number of college students who are reporting using alcohol within the last month at any particular give time down the road, I think the program is going to be successful," Thickstun says.

Two weeks into the program, the state excise police have handed out 237 tickets, including more than 80 for illegal consumption or possession of alcohol. That's almost triple the 25-30 tickets the agency normally gives in a week.

To read the full story, click this link: http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/indiana-excise-police-target-college-campuses-26987/

Source: Indiana Public Media  

 February 21, 2012 

1. Subtly make drinks weaker
2. Enforce a minimum price for alcohol
3. Get people back into pubs
4. Raise the legal drinking age
5. Nationalize off-licenses
6. Discourage rounds
7. Ban alcohol marketing
8. Target middle-class professionals
9. Not in front of the children
10. Stop exaggerating the problem 

Source: BBC News

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16466646

February 23, 2012

Indiana State University is revising its alcohol policy following a recent campus event that gave students the option to drink if they are of legal age.

The new alcohol policy is under development that isn't as generic and is more comprehensive, said ISU president Daniel J. Bradley.

"With the new policy there will be three things that won't ever happen," Bradley said. "There will be no open bar free drinks, unlimited drinking or serving to underage drinkers."

ISU served alcohol to students at the "Bachelor of Death" murder mystery/leadership dinner on Jan. 31. Students of age were given an hour and a half window to indulge in a maximum of two drinks. Those of legal drinking age who attended were given wristbands and two drink tickets each. Following the event, ISU Student Affairs officials said they were pleased with the event

.

"I'm glad that the cash bar was at the event and if we follow the protocols we had at the leadership dinner, it will run smoothly," Bradley said.

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Nolan Davis said the university is in the process of developing the alcohol policy to work with students on and off campus to promote responsible and moderated drinking events.

"We are trying to create a smooth and safe process for groups who want alcohol at their events," Davis said. "We aren't going from nothing to something; we are going from a low organized policy to a more organized policy."

To read the full story, click this link: http://www.indianastatesman.com/news/isu-s-alcohol-policy-being-revised-1.2795243

Source: Indiana Statesman