The Center for Alcohol Policy released a new report, “Combatting Fake, Counterfeit, and Contraband Alcohol Challenges in the United Kingdom through the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS),” authored by Robert Tobiassen, the former Chief Counsel at the Treasury Department’s Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau.

The report is a follow up to his 2014 report, “The ‘Fake Alcohol’ Situation in the United States: The Impact of Culture, Market Economics, and the Current Regulatory Systems,” that examined the high number of incidences of fake alcohol in countries around the world, compared to the low number of incidences in the United States. The 2014 study found a large number of incidences of fake alcohol in the U.K., which is noteworthy as the major difference between the United States and U.K. is the structure of the alcohol regulatory system. Since the 2014 study, the U.K. has adopted the AWRS to combat fraud, tax evasion and fake alcohol. The adoption of the AWRS by the U.K. recognizes the importance of registered wholesalers in the alcohol industry and the increased accountability they provide to ensure the path for legitimate alcohol products.

The 2017 report summarizes the processes and considerations for the adoption and implementation of the AWRS in the U.K. and examines the critical importance of a domestic distribution system as sound regulatory policy. Tobiassen explains the U.K.’s annual loss of approximately £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) in excise duty as largely due to a “weaknesses in the distribution system,” now addressed by the AWRS. “The public evolution and formal adoption of the AWRS shows the importance of regulatory controls over the wholesale activity in the effort to combat fake, counterfeit, contraband and illicit alcohol,” concludes Tobiassen.

In the report, Tobiassen suggests that as the U.K. refines and improves this new system, it “consider lessons from the United States’ experience in the distribution of alcohol,” especially the independence of suppliers, wholesalers and retailers in a three-tier system.

Recent polling by the Center for Alcohol Policy highlights that public safety and concerns about proper alcohol regulation are most important to the American public. This includes 81 percent support for the required use of wholesalers. The Tobiassen report highlights the U.K. activities in the distribution of alcohol that serve as a contrast to the effective, accountable and working system of alcohol regulation in the United States.

Educational Resources Highlight 21^st Amendment as Origin of America’s State-Based Regulatory System

Alexandria, Va. – This Constitution Day, celebrated annually on Sept. 17, the Center for Alcohol Policy is highlighting its educational resources that explain the 21^st Amendment’s role in establishing America’s state-based regulatory system.

The Center for Alcohol Policy video The Origins of America’s State-Based Regulatory System illustrates the origin of today’s alcohol regulatory system, which works to balance alcohol control with an orderly and competitive marketplace.

The video features Center for Alcohol Policy advisors Brannon Denning, associate dean professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, and Jerry Oliver, Sr., former Arizona alcohol regulator and chief of police for Detroit, Richmond and Pasadena.

“The 21^st Amendment was important because not only did it repeal Prohibition but it also returned control over alcohol policy where it belongs, to state and local governments who can determine what kinds of policies serve the needs of their citizens best,” Denning said.

The video describes the Center’s republication of the book Toward Liquor Control, which outlined how states should regulate the sale and serving of alcohol following the repeal of Prohibition, and how the book is still helping shape policy today.

“It gives the tenets for why alcohol should be controlled at the local level, why states and local jurisdiction are to have the final say as to how alcohol is accessed and how it’s distributed,” said Oliver.

“It’s clear that what’s acceptable in Nevada isn’t necessarily acceptable in Utah,” added Denning. “The 21^st Amendment and the flexibility of state-based regulation allows those local differences to be taken into account.”

Another educational resource that explains the 21^st Amendment’s role in establishing America’s state-based alcohol regulatory system and offers tips for those charged with enforcing state laws today is the brief guide, “Alcohol Beverage Control: The Basics for New State Alcohol Regulators,” written by former alcohol regulator Roger B. Johnson, a 38-year veteran of the Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and published by the Center.

The Center also supported the development of a “Toast the Constitution!” lesson plan. Through a partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute, this resource helps educators teach students about the origins of the 18^th Amendment, the individuals and groups who fought for and against Prohibition, and the events that led to its repeal with the passage of the 21^st Amendment.

To learn more about the Center for Alcohol Policy and its programs, please visit www.centerforalcholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Alexandria, Va. – The Center for Alcohol Policy hosted its 10^th Annual Alcohol Law and Policy Conference September 6 – 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. The conference was attended by a record-setting crowd with representation from 34 states and Washington, D.C. This annual event brings together a wide range of experts in the field of alcohol law – including attorneys, current and former alcohol regulators, academic thought leaders, public health advocates and other experts – to discuss current alcohol laws and challenges.

President of the National Association of Attorneys General and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt delivered a keynote address on the role state attorneys general play in policy debates about alcohol and the state’s role under the 21^st Amendment. Attorney General Schmidt reflected on our nation’s history with alcohol regulation and the fact that a century ago, problems associated with alcohol misuse dominated the headlines and national debate. He observed that today’s lack of negative headlines and a more rational debate about alcohol regulation is a tribute to conference attendees and current regulation in the states.

Results of the Center’s 2017 national survey on the public opinion of alcohol regulation were also reviewed by pollster Lori Weigel of Public Opinion Strategies. According to the poll, four-in-five Americans support individual states’ ability to regulate alcohol. Additionally, Americans overwhelmingly believe that public health and safety issues should be the priority of their local policymakers when crafting alcohol regulations. An analysis of the survey’s key findings is available on the Center’s website.

During the conference, the Center announced Kathie Durbin, chief of licensure, regulation and education at the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Liquor Control, as the recipient of the Fifth Annual Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award. The award recognizes the work of alcohol regulators who oversee the alcohol industry and promote public safety.

Other highlights of the conference included: Dr. Joseph Kolly’s presentation on impaired driving trends as Chief Safety Scientist of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fischer’s insights on the court challenges to alcohol regulation in his state; Donovan Borman, executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, reviewing Illinois’ efforts to crack down on illegal smuggling of alcohol; and drug abuse policy expert Jonathon Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon detailing the status of marijuana legalization and the resulting regulatory challenges.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policymakers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Kathie Durbin of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Liquor Control receives Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award.

Alexandria, Va. – The Center for Alcohol Policy is pleased to announce that Kathie Durbin, chief of licensure, regulation and education at the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Liquor Control, is the recipient of the Fifth Annual Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award.

The award, which recognizes a specific program, agency or person who oversees the alcohol industry and promotes public safety, was presented by the Center’s Advisory Council at the 10^th Annual Alcohol Law and Policy Conference, in Chicago, Illinois, last week.

“The Center for Alcohol Policy appreciates that alcohol regulators are on the front lines of many initiatives in the states aimed at keeping the alcohol industry properly regulated, promoting public health and safety and supporting a competitive business marketplace,” said Jerry Oliver, a Center Advisory Council member, who has served as an alcohol regulator and police chief. “This award highlights effective best practices that may serve as examples to alcohol regulators in other states.”

“What stood out to me is Kathie’s tireless energy and enthusiasm to oversee such a densely populated and diverse jurisdiction,” continued Oliver. “Montgomery County is incredibly demographically diverse with more than 140 languages spoken. Kathie has helped to develop and manage bi-weekly alcohol regulatory trainings for more than 1,000 servers and sellers of alcohol annually. Since Kathie was named division chief at the department in 2003, she has made giant strides to promote educational training for employees at the more than 1,000 licensed establishments and 1,000 licensed special events every year, as well as communication between community leaders, businesses, law enforcement and regulators.”

Durbin oversees many educational resources that not only protect public safety, but also improve the business environment in the county. She helped to establish the Alcohol Law Education & Regulatory Training (A.L.E.R.T.) program, offered by the department twice a month, at no cost to attendees to improve compliance with alcohol laws; a revamped Compliance Check program; and a Mystery Shop program, among others.

Durbin is known for her fair and consistent approach to alcohol regulation and willingness to work with all stakeholders, including the public health community, law enforcement, businesses and other regulators to improve public safety. Spearheading the Annual Maryland Alcohol Forum, Durbin brings together alcohol license administrators and law enforcement to discuss policy priorities, trends in public health and licensing and enforcement best practices.

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Photo Download: Award recipient and Center for Alcohol Policy Advisors

(L to R): Center for Alcohol Policy Advisors Jim Hall and Jerry Oliver; award recipient Kathie Durbin; Center Advisors Brannon Denning and Patrick Lynch

Read biographical details for the Center for Alcohol Policy Advisory Council members.

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Center for Alcohol Policy releases survey shows support for effective regulation of alcohol

Alexandria, Va. – According to a recently released national poll commissioned by the Center for Alcohol Policy, four-in-five Americans support individual states’ ability to regulate alcohol. The poll results also show that 93% of respondents believes drunk driving problems remain an extremely or very serious problem, a number surpassing concerns about opioid abuse which has dominated the nation’s headlines recently. Binge drinking and underage drinking are seen as  extremely to very serious problems, as well, at 78% and 73% respectively.

According to the survey, Americans overwhelmingly believe that public health and safety issues should be the priority for their local policymakers when crafting alcohol regulations.

“Americans recognize and agree that when it comes to a unique product such as alcohol, regulation is vital, and they support the states’ ability to set their own laws and regulations around alcohol,” said Mike Lashbrook, the Center’s executive director. “Policy makers need to stay focused on the public’s concerns over alcohol misuse and demand for responsible regulation.”

Key findings include:

Americans agree that regulation is important, especially when it comes to alcohol.

• 89% of adults agree that it is very important to keep the American alcohol industry regulated.
• Four-in-five Americans agree that since alcohol is different, it requires a different set of rules, and states should regulate it.
• 86% support the legal drinking age being set at 21.

Additionally, Americans believe that alcohol laws need to prioritize public health and safety. 

• A clear majority of Americans still see alcohol-related issues as serious problems in this country – drunk driving at 93%, binge drinking at 78% and underage drinking at 73%.
• Alcohol misuse problems are on par with or even exceed other more highly publicized problems: 93% of Americans believe driving under the influence of alcohol is a extremely/very serious issue, while opioid abuse is viewed by 88% as extremely/very serious.
• 80% agree that getting rid of alcohol rules, regulations and safeguards could make the problem worse as parents, police officers and retailers already have a difficult challenge keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors.
• Health and safety issues are much higher priority than economic issues when it comes to crafting alcohol regulation. Americans agree the following health and safety issues are the top priority: reducing drunk driving (77%), protecting health and safety (70%) and reducing underage drinking (62%), over economic issues such as allowing more businesses to sell alcohol (19%), lowering prices for alcohol (22%) or giving consumers more choices (28%).

Americans are satisfied with the existing system and are very happy with the variety of alcohol options currently available to them.

• 81% of Americans are in support of the existing system for purchasing alcohol in their state and support the state’s ability to regulate alcohol.
• The vast majority of Americans do not believe the regulations are too restrictive. 72% believe that the regulations are too lenient or about right.
• 81% expressed support for the regulations requiring producers of alcohol to sell product to independent distributors who in turn sell to individual retailers (commonly referred to as the three-tier system).
• 90% of adults agree that it is easy to find a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor in their community.
• 79% agree that there are more local and craft beers and liquor available in their community today than ever before.

The national survey of 1,000 adults at and over the age of 21 was conducted using an online methodology by Public Opinion Strategies, on behalf of the Center for Alcohol Policy on July 20 and 24-27, 2017.  The confidence interval is ± 3.5%.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

View the key findings from the Alcohol Policy Survey.