Thursday, June 17, 2021 www.nabca.org

• PA: PLCB: Expanded outdoor alcohol service must end • AR: Alcoholic Beverage Control approves permit for Costco store TODAY’S • Scotland: Scottish alcohol sales drop to lowest level in 26 years HIGHLIGHTS • Alcohol maker Two Trees formed to tap into rapid-aging technology • Alcohol and awkwardness • How Stiff Are Distilled Spirits Taxes in Your State?

CONTROL STATE NEWS NABCA NEWS PA: PLCB: Expanded outdoor alcohol service The Collection: An Alcohol Research Summary must end (formerly Annotated Bibliography) A comprehensive Restaurants that started serving alcohol outside during overview of the latest scientific evidence on the pandemic are no longer allowed to do so, according important topics related to alcohol policy. to the state. Sharing Solutions E-Newsletter! A platform for the WNEP NABCA community to share successful Author: Elizabeth Worthington Implementations and lessons learned about your June 16, 2021 good work. DICKSON CITY, Pa. — The tables set up outside of ADDITIONAL LINKS Smiler's Bar & Grill in Dickson City are all roped off. Within the last 24 hours, manager June Greene Visit NABCA’s website for information on: found out she's no longer allowed to serve alcohol • Control State Agency Information on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. • Doing Business in Control States "Last minute as always!" Greene laughed. "I'm • NABCA News bummed. I don't know if we'll be able to keep the patio. We can't sell any more drinks to go." The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board says now that Governor Wolf's emergency declaration has expired, so too have the temporary extensions granted for businesses to serve alcohol on sidewalks and in parking lots, a lifeline for many places during the pandemic. "If all of your seats were full, you only had 30 to 40 people in here, which does not generate a lot of money. It costs a thousand dollars to open the door every day here," said Greene. Greene says the customers loved sitting outside. She'll look into applying for a permanent license but has been told in the past, she doesn't have enough parking. 2

But at places that don't serve alcohol, such as The bill cleared the House Finance Committee on Downtown Deli in Scranton, the hope is that outdoor Tuesday without any opposition. At an earlier dining on the sidewalk is here to stay." committee meeting on the bill, the Rev. Mark Creech of the conservative Christian Action League "It's a beautiful day, beautiful weather, when it's said he’s opposed to allowing a “bar on wheels.” raining even sometimes still people want to chill under the umbrellas," said Stas Postowski, a server Creech said the idea is different than the alcohol at Downtown Deli. currently allowed on trains and planes because train and air travel is limited. With buses though, Sidewalk dining is not new at Downtown Deli, but it there’s potential for “incalculable fleets of them, was for a lot of businesses in Scranton last summer. each possessing a bar for its passengers,” he said. The city passed an ordinance allowing businesses to use the sidewalks for outdoor dining. MORE NC ALCOHOL BILLS MOVING AHEAD A spokesperson from the mayor's office says the city HB 693 was one of several alcohol- and event- is drafting a resolution to present to the city council, related bills on the Finance Committee’s agenda on which would extend it until the end of the year. Tuesday. House Bill 477 would allow event promoters to use vacant buildings on a trial basis As for statewide outdoor dining, there's a bill without upgrading the spaces for building code and floating around to extend it, along with making zoning purposes. cocktails to go permanent, but that bill is currently stalled in the state House. Rep. Mark Brody, R-Union and sponsor of the bill, said the idea is to hold a small number of events to see if there’s demand and interest in the space NC: Full bar on your next long-distance bus trip? before paying for renovations. Promoters would NC House looks to legalize it still need a safety inspection of the building first. The News & Observer HB 477 passed the full House on Wednesday in a By Colin Campbell 104-1 vote. June 16, 2021 House Bill 619, which was on Tuesday’s agenda for Travelers heading across the state by bus could soon discussion only, addresses a tax code problem for buy cocktails, and along the way. breweries that expand into restaurant service. Breweries typically pay the mill machinery tax for House Bill 693 would legalize a new trend in other the equipment they use to make beer, but if they states where bus companies have added a bar to the later add food service that accounts for more than chartered bus experience. The bill passed the House half of their revenue, they’re taxed like a on Wednesday in an 89-14 vote. restaurant. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tim Moffitt, a Henderson That means higher taxes on equipment purchases. County Republican, said the services cater to “first Alex Miller, a lobbyist for the N.C. Craft Brewers class and business class” travelers, and he expects Guild, described a brewery in Boone that got hit the routes would include Charlotte to Raleigh and with a hefty bill for back taxes on Raleigh to Wilmington. equipment after its pizza proved so popular that it But Moffitt stressed that his bill wouldn’t add bars to exceeded beer revenue. the types of buses that ferry party people between “We find that situation to be fairly ridiculous,” he bars. said. Now, according to Miller, other breweries are “There has been some concern about this leading to hesitant to add food service for fear of the tax party buses, and other types of unsavory things — consequences. HB 619 would put brewery that is not the purpose of the bill,” he said. The equipment under the machinery tax regardless of alcohol permits would be valid only on bus trips of at how the business is structured. least 75 miles, when the destination is at least 10 miles from the starting point. 3

NH: Traffic complaints, alcohol issues on the rise According to officials, the added patrols in in some Granite State communities Portsmouth are planned to continue into Some police departments increasing patrols September. WMUR By Jennifer Crompton, News Report LICENSE STATE NEWS June 16, 2021 CT: Self-pour alcohol machines made legal in PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Some police departments in Connecticut New Hampshire have reported a jump in alcohol- and traffic-related issues, from speeding to crashes WTNH and even serious injury. That increase is not just by WTNH Staff compared to this time last year. June 16, 2021 Communities such as Portsmouth have seen an HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Governor Ned increase in traffic issues, including DWIs and crashes. Lamont gives the green light to people to pour The Portsmouth Police Department anticipated their own drinks. The governor signed a bill today being busy as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, with allowing self-pour alcohol machines. 200 licensed drinking establishments in the city. Here’s how it works: A beer ambassador will still “We’re seeing a lot of increased calls for service check for IDs, then the customer will get a pour relative to alcohol-related issues,” said Capt. pass and the pass gets turned off after all of their Michael Maloney. “Whether it be fights or allotted ounces are poured. intoxicated people, and then, obviously, we’re Self-pour machines are already legal in 45 other seeing, unfortunately, an increase in alcohol-related states. crashes as well.”

Some of those crashes have led to serious injuries, IL: Buzz Continues on Alcohol Bans at Grocery and Portsmouth is not alone. Stores “I think every community in this area is getting Chicago mayor announces midnight purchase curfew, complaints of speeding vehicles, following too close, other states weigh sales of adult beverages to go going through stop signs, parking wherever they Progressive Grocer want,” Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh said. By Lynn Petrak Walsh said it is not just visitors, it's locals too. He said June 16, 2021 pandemic fatigue could be partly to blame. The pandemic and other events of the past year “They’re getting out, and they’re getting frustrated. have caused fresh debate over alcohol sales at They have short fuses. They’re not patient about grocery stores. anything,” Walsh said. Since Prohibition ended in 1933, it has generally Officials said education and enforcement is key. been up to state and local authorities to regulate With the help of grant funds from the New the sale of alcohol, including in grocery stores. This Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, which partners week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot created with departments across the state, Portsmouth is headlines when she proposed a ban on packaged implementing a patrol every week dedicated to the alcohol sales at the city’s grocery and convenience issues. stores after midnight. “You’ll see the difference where you’ll see the The proposal, yet to be voted on by the City officers are out there every day, and their goal is Council, extends the temporary late night/early aggressive traffic enforcement targeting those morning halt in adult beverage sales that was specific-type aggressive behaviors, distracted imposed during the pandemic. The initial driving, alcohol-related offenses,” Murphy said. pandemic-era curfew was 9 p.m., later changed to 11 p.m. 4

When Lightfoot first floated the idea last month of The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board today making the curfew permanent, the suggested 10 approved a retail liquor permit for the Costco store p.m. cut-off was met with backlash from city due to open next month on Chenal Parkway. aldermen, local merchants and consumers. Many Sen. Kim Hammer had objected to the permit, argued the timing was too early and cumbersome on which brought a denial of the application by ABC business owners getting back on their feet after the Director Doralee Chandler, the usual practice when pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. public officials complain. The newest proposal received more positive reviews Hammer said the area had sufficient retail liquor in the nation’s third most populous urban center. outlets. He also questioned whether it might be One alderman, Tom Tunney, said it was a “good too close to a daycare center, but the ABC Board compromise between the needs of businesses that was told today that was not correct. are working to recover from the pandemic and the needs of residents that face quality of life issues in The Costco warehouse club already has a beer and their neighborhoods.” wine permit. But it needs a separate permit for an adjoining retail liquor store with a separate Controversies over booze laws affecting grocers entrance. This would follow the operating plan for have emerged in other parts of the country, too. This a Sam’s Club liquor store in Fayetteville. It is not a week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf indicated new permit for Little Rock, but the transfer of an that he would veto legislation allowing beer-and- existing permit previously granted for a store on wine licensed retailers, including grocery stores, to Stagecoach Road. sell cans of mixed hard alcohol drinks to go. At the same time, Gov. Wolf said he agrees with the The liquor store will serve the general public as original intent of supporting pandemic-affected well as Costco members. The larger warehouse restaurants and hotels through the sale of take- store will be open only to members. The liquor home adult drinks. “I support memorializing this store will not sell beer and wine, only spirits. It will relief for bars and restaurants by making cocktails- sell fewer individual items, most of them displayed to-go permanent and I strongly urge the Senate to in shipping palletts, perhaps about 200 items support Pennsylvania’s bars, restaurants and hotels versus thousands in a typical liquor store, a store by sending a clean bill to my desk today," he said in employee said. a statement released on June 15. Other retail liquor stores opposed the permit, Meanwhile, in Maryland, some lawmakers in the including the owner of the nearby Legacy Wine and General Assembly tried earlier this spring to change Spirits, David Bevans. They cited the state law that alcohol laws in that state, including one on the books prohibits sale of anything but alcohol in liquor since 1978 banning grocery and convenience stores stores. Costco said it was not planning to do so, from selling adult beverages. The bill was backed by though opponents emphasized that the liquor the Maryland Retailers Association. store would capitalize on customers of an adjacent store selling other goods. They also emphasized The upshot – no alcohol pun intended – of this that there were 20 liquor stores within a five-mile week’s announcements? Expect more legislation radius. and passionate responses on a topic that has been up for heated debate for a century or more. The arguments against Costco, including harming competing retailers, were similar to those made by retailers fighting the permit ultimately awarded AR: Alcoholic Beverage Control approves permit the Sam’s Club liquor store in Fayetteville. The for Costco liquor store Arkansas Supreme Court upheld that permit after Arkansas Times a long court fight. The Sam’s situation was noted at By Max Brantley today’s meeting. It was also noted that the Sam’s June 16, 2021 store sells wine, which isn’t in the immediate plans for Costco. 5

The permit was supported by the Little Rock diagnosis, with some requiring more than one stay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Frank Scott in hospital. Jr. and Vice Mayor Lance Hines, who is city director Deprivation was linked to drinking-related illness, for the ward where the store would be located. A with the rates for both alcohol-related hospital chamber representative said it would be a bad stays and deaths eight times higher in the most precedent for the state to step in against a business deprived parts of Scotland compared to the least that met all rules because of competition objections. deprived areas. Phil Brandon, president of Rock Town Distillery in A total of 42.5 million litres of pure alcohol were Little Rock, testified against the permit because of sold in Scotland in 2020, the report revealed - with Costco’s ability to compete with his product with sprits and wine accounting for 31% of sales each, store-brand spirits. He said independent stores had beer accounting for 27% and 6%. been critical to his growth. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing bars and INTERNATIONAL NEWS restaurants to either close or operate under restrictions for much of last year, 90% of alcohol Scotland: Scottish alcohol sales drop to lowest was bought in supermarkets and other stores, up level in 26 years from 73% in 2019. BBC News Dr Elizabeth Richardson, public health intelligence June 17, 2021 adviser at Public Health Scotland, said the pandemic was probably a factor in the figures. The amount of alcohol sold per person in Scotland last year fell to its the lowest level for 26 years. "We have previously shown that per-adult sales were lower overall between March and July last Public Health Scotland figures show 9.4 litres of pure year, during the first national lockdown, and it's alcohol were sold per adult in 2020, the equivalent likely that the pandemic and associated of each adult in the country drinking 18 units a week. restrictions have contributed to the lower alcohol It is the third year in a row that the level has fallen consumption we see across the Scottish and the largest drop on record. population in 2020," she said. However, the figure was still higher than in England "Despite these trends, the most recent survey data and Wales. show that nearly a quarter of people still drink The amount of pure alcohol sold per person north of more than the recommended low-risk weekly the border was 6% higher, although this was the guideline. Among people exceeding the guideline, smallest difference between the nations recorded it is those in the lowest income group who are since 1994. likely to consume the most." Alcohol-related deaths 'Having the intended effect' The report, which monitored the impact of alcohol She added: "An average of 20 people per week die policy, found almost a quarter (24%) of all adults as a result of their alcohol consumption, and whilst reported exceeding the safe weekly drinking this latest figure represents the lowest rate since guideline of 14 units a week in 2019. 2012, again it is those in the most deprived areas that are more likely to be hospitalised or die But this was down from just over a third (34%) in because of an alcohol-related harm. Like all harm 2003. caused by alcohol, this is preventable." The report also revealed that 1,020 deaths were Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus described as being "wholly attributable to alcohol" Scotland, said "We're really pleased to see that as in 2019 - an average of 20 people per week. a nation we are drinking less for the third year Over the course of 2019-20, a total of 23,685 people running and that alcohol consumption is at a 25- were admitted to hospital with an alcohol-related year low - this is a good indication that minimum unit pricing is having the intended effect. 6

"Although the restrictions on pubs and restaurants Dive Brief: for much of 2020 will have affected consumption • Prost Beverage, RF Kettle and Two Trees across the UK, it is notable that the reduction in Distilling are merging to create a new company alcohol purchases in Scotland is greater than in called Two Trees Beverage. The new company England and Wales. plans to offer beer, wine and spirits innovation "But given nearly a quarter of Scots are still regularly for private label, third-party manufacturing drinking over the chief medical officers' low-risk and its own line of proprietary brands using the drinking guidelines, we can't afford to take our eye controversial rapid-aging technology. off the ball where preventing alcohol harm is • The company also said it has raised $6 million concerned." through a Series A funding round that is 'Dramatic impact' expected to close in July. She called on the Scottish government to raise the • Rapid-aging is lauded for its speed and minimum price for alcohol from the current level of sustainability, but purists argue the 50p a unit to 65p, saying this will "increase the technology-driven methods are shortcuts and positive benefits of the policy by reducing fail to honor the traditional techniques used consumption, saving more lives and preventing a for centuries. new generation from developing an unhealthy Dive Insight: relationship with alcohol". Consumers increased their alcohol consumption Scotland's Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd during the pandemic as they looked for new said she was more convinced than ever that beverages to quench their curiosity. Beverage minimum unit pricing was one of the main drivers in makers have been launching a variety of new reducing the harm caused by over consumption of options in an attempt to keep drinkers interested alcohol. and capture some of the segment's recent growth. She said: "Clearly Covid-19 and the associated Rapid-aging techniques used by Two Trees and restrictions have had a dramatic impact on the other manufacturers not only allows them to hospitality trade, but these figures demonstrate that innovate more quickly but to ramp-up production the restrictions in place did not simply translate into with shorter turnaround times instead of having to an increase in the total amount of alcohol being wait several years for liquor to age using traditional consumed. In fact, the opposite is the case. methods. As flavor preferences quickly change, "We have already seen that alcohol sales were rapid-aging could allow manufacturers to do a falling since the introduction of our world-leading better job producing offerings that more closely Minimum Unit Pricing policy in 2018. mirror current trends. The technique often utilizes steel tanks, creating a process users say is more "We know that it will take longer for the full impact environmentally safe and sustainable. of reduced consumption to feed through into health-related statistics, but I am more convinced As younger consumers such as millennials and Gen than ever that MUP is one of the main drivers in Zers look for new offerings and shoppers reducing alcohol harms." increasingly factor in sustainability when deciding what products to purchase, they might be more INDUSTRY NEWS inclined to try alcohol made using rapid-aging, benefiting companies like Two Trees. Alcohol maker Two Trees formed to tap into rapid- Not everyone in the alcohol beverage industry aging technology backs rapid-aging techniques, however. Old school Food Dive brewers and distillers argue the technology-driven By Lauren Manning methods are shortcuts and that the resulting June 16, 2021 beverages fail to honor the traditional techniques.

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"It’s disruptive to put innovation in tradition, some LGBTQIA+ members of the wine world say the people are uncomfortable with that, but innovation industry still has a long way to go to be more isn’t about doing what is comfortable, it requires welcoming and inclusive. “As long as we have to change to improve the old ways of doing things,” talk about this, we know there is work to be done,” Chad Slagle, Two Trees' CEO, said in a statement. he says. The techniques offer small-scale companies and Stephanie Hoffman, who works in marketing at newly launched breweries a way to bring products Stoller Wine Group and recounts her wine country to market more quickly instead of waiting several adventures on Instagram, says there’s “definitely a years. It also brings down the cost of production and really intense range” of positive and negative shortens the time it takes for a distiller to receive a experiences working in the wine industry. While profit for each batch. This makes it easier for startup some of the people she has worked for and with brands to compete with legacy beverage makers. have been very supportive of her, she’s overheard plenty of offensive comments from customers and As alcohol drinkers show a preference for variety in received questions that put her in very their beverage choices, the ability to experiment uncomfortable positions. with and bring new flavors to market more quickly could be a major benefit for manufacturers. When she worked in tasting rooms, Hoffman Capturing consumer interest in flavored beverages is received queries about whether she was single or already on Two Trees' radar. It offers a variety of offers to be set up with customers’ sons. “Every flavored products like Carolina Peach, Candy Apple, time you ask if I’m dating someone, do I have to Crisp Apple, Salted Caramel and Cinnamon Spice, out myself? This is a professional environment and according to Black Mountain News. I don’t want to have that conversation,” she says. Controversy in the industry is not stopping a number Rachel Adams, founder of the Assemblage of companies from bringing rapid-aged beverages to symposium for women and people of color in the market. Cleveland Whiskey matures its whiskey for wine industry and a wine publicist at Play Nice only six months using modern methods, The Wall Public Relations, had similar experiences when she Street Journal noted. Whiskey Thief takes a similar worked in consumer-facing roles in tasting rooms. approach while Los Angeles-based Lost Spirits uses On multiple occasions, she heard customers share high-intensity light and heat to expedite chemical very conservative political or religious beliefs — reactions that otherwise take years. then point to her wedding ring and ask about her husband.

A Look at LBGTQIA+ Issues in Wine, and How the “I was often confronted with this strange moment Industry Can Solve Them (excerpt) of being unsure if it was safe to out myself,” she says. “I worked on commission in all those VinePair positions. The idea of revealing something Words by Sophia Bennett personal about myself to someone who was June 16, 2021 holding a piece of my livelihood felt risky and When Alvaro Cardenas first started selling wine in scary.” 1996, it was common for him to be greeted by Corinne Rich, who runs Birdhorse with professionals who made inappropriate jokes about partner Katie Rouse, says she has often HIV and AIDS or commented, “Here comes this little experienced “weird or uncomfortable f*g trying to sell me wine.” Add that he was a Latinx microaggressions” from people in the workplace. man in a predominantly white, Eurocentric and “I’ve had people make uncomfortable jokes,” she heterosexual industry, and he didn’t feel remotely says. “I’ve had male coworkers try to objectify or welcome in his chosen profession. degrade women in front of me thinking we were Things have improved since that time, says having a shared experience because we have a Cardenas, who now owns Wine Stop, a pair of retail shared sexual preference. Things of that ilk happen stores focused on providing organic and sustainably not infrequently.” made wine in Los Angeles. But he and other 8

Women face multiple challenges because of their “We are the invisible minority,” says Rich. “You intersectionality — the fact that they’re both female cannot look at a room full of people and identify and queer in an industry where neither is common. that there are queer people in that room.” It But queer men have their own challenges because therefore takes quiet and careful investigation for of society’s definitions and expectations around professionals to find queer peers in their masculinity, especially in certain parts of the wine communities. industry. While being an invisible minority does present its That was one reason it took Evan Lewandowski, own challenges for queer folks, those interviewed owner of Ruth Lewandowski Wines, a long time to were quick to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ people come out to colleagues. “There was absolutely fear who present as cisgender have a certain amount of of not being accepted and/or not being viewed as privilege that people of color — queer or straight competent when compared to a straight man,” he — don’t. “When you’re queer, you learn at a very says. Among some of the production staff he has young age to read the room,” Lewandowski says. met, there is a real belief that a gay man can’t drive “You have the luxury to dress a certain way or a forklift, maintain , or complete other change the way you talk or change your gestures if manual tasks as well as a straight man. you know you’re in a room [with people who] are not going to accept you the way you are, but you There have also been times when Lewandowski need to be in the room because it’s the job you participated in all-male picking crews and had want.” people flout their heterosexuality and refer to each other as “f*gs” or “queers.” “What am I supposed to Queer people of color don’t have this ability, and say to this picking crew? I’ve never been able to the threats to them are significant. A recent report stand up and say something,” he says. “I wouldn’t from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of feel backed up or supported.” Law said that 79 percent of Black LGBT adults had experienced verbal insults, 60 percent had been Although he’s never feared for his personal safety, threatened with physical violence, and 44 percent he does worry about the loss of respect. “You work had been physically or sexually assaulted. hard to prove yourself and build a rapport with people,” he says. “Is it worth losing that?” “For trans people, it’s a lot harder, and there’s a lot more concern and worry,” says Hoffman. “I came up through working in wine retail, where of Emotional and physical violence is even more course everyone’s going to be incredibly nice to me common against transgender individuals. And because I’m the one who decides if they’re going to when people have consumed alcohol, “that’s when sell 10 cases of wine today,” says Seth Eli Barlow, things do get dangerous. There’s a real concern who now writes about wine for the Arkansas about safety,” she says. In 2020, 44 trans Democrat-Gazette and other publications. individuals were murdered, which is the highest But while he dealt with a lot of people who had a number since the Human Rights Campaign started “forced acceptance” of diverse individuals in that tracking this information in 2013. That number is role, it’s a little different in his current position. likely an undercount, as violence against trans Once, a winemaker giving Barlow a tour of his individuals is often not reported or misreported. personal cellar went on a long rant about a number Barlow acknowledges that he might not have of conservative topics, including his opposition to borne the brunt of much discrimination at tasting gay marriage. rooms because both he and his boyfriend are 6- These experiences are common, folks noted, foot-4 white men. But, he notes, he doesn’t wear because it’s not always possible to tell a person is nail polish or do anything else that might violate queer just by looking at them. LGBTQIA+ individuals gender norms when he goes to tasting rooms. end up being subjected to a lot of microaggressions “Would that change the atmosphere or how I’m because of that — especially because people’s lips perceived or received?” he wonders. loosen up after they’ve had a few drinks.

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EDUCATION NEWS bodies swayed to music that didn’t seem the type anyone should dance to, and laughter erupted Alcohol and awkwardness despite nothing funny being said. It felt like one big inside joke I wasn’t privy to, one I couldn’t Michigan Daily understand while sober. by Elizabeth Schriner June 16, 2021 Before I could say anything, I was handed my first mixed drink: a and Sprite concoction. After a A few weeks ago on my 21st birthday, a friend and I cautionary sip, I deduced that I hated the taste of made our way to Good Time Charley’s to buy my first vodka and asked my friend if she could put in more legal drink. We shared a fishbowl called “The Love Sprite. I was new at this and didn’t try to hide it. Spell,” a dangerously sweet concoction of lemonade But after she came back with the drink, all I could and mango vodka that — to my delight — didn’t think about was my doctor’s warning about how taste much like alcohol. The following weekend, my alcohol might affect me. I handed my drink to sister took me to several outdoor places, where I another one of my friends and walked home. gulped down several margaritas, vodka cocktails and a shot of . I chased down more drinks in the At my second college party, I convinced myself to span of several days than I had in my entire life. fake it until I made it. I grabbed a beer and took very small sips throughout the evening. The can Before my 21st birthday, I didn’t drink, and not just remained full, but at least I could act like I was because it was illegal. Prior to college, my alcohol drinking. As my friends and people around me intake had been limited to one sip of Budweiser, half grew mildly inebriated, the feelings of a glass of wine at my sister’s wedding and several awkwardness crept in. I texted my boyfriend about tastes of wine-turned-blood from a Catholic how I wished I hadn’t come. It wasn’t long before upbringing. My mom is very allergic to alcohol, and one of my friends started staggering and slurring my Dad can’t drink due to medication, so it’s safe to her speech; at that point, we decided to walk her say drinking was never a big thing in my household home. New to alcohol like me, she hadn’t eaten or while I was growing up. drank anything prior to the party. We watched her I never felt pressured to drink before college. The for the rest of the night. choice was made for me, however, due to a My friends were pretty responsible and rarely medication I was on. My doctor warned me that my crossed into dangerous territory. Still, I was always liver might process things differently. I had already the designated sober friend, and it felt strange to been taking the medication for several years, but the be responsible in case anything bad happened. I warning came, seemingly on purpose, at the start of stopped attending big parties early into my my freshman year. Well aware that college students freshman year. Sometimes, I worried that I was drink, she told me to limit my alcohol intake and missing out. Down the hall from me, two rooms cautioned that it might make me feel sick regardless decked out in sorority door decorations served as of quantity. It wasn’t until this past March, two the home base for getting ready every Thursday months before my birthday, that I got off my and Friday night. Loud music and laughter echoed medication and could finally drink without fear of down the hall. Then, later on in the evening, I’d consequences. frequently see one of the girls hunched over the *** toilet in the girls bathroom. The party and drinking At my first college party, I noticed the sticky floors culture seemed worse on Halloween and game and red solo cups immediately. I expected as much; days — with no one batting an eye at groups of however, what I didn’t expect was how awkward I friends staggering down busy streets. would feel. I had previously considered my College — as a place for newfound freedom, personality to be bubbly and friendly. I loved to friendships and independence — seemed like the dance and hang out with friends, activities that optimal place to get into drinking. One of my never included alcohol for my friend group in high acquaintances never tasted alcohol before coming school. But standing in the middle of a crowded to college, and it didn’t take long for her to begin basement, it was easy to feel self-conscious. Sweaty acquiring a startling dependency on it to relieve 10 stress. Conversely, another one of my friends noted In the case of college socialization, drinking that her drinking actually decreased after coming to occasionally felt like one form of exclusion and college. I learned that some people had been inclusion. Sometimes it was fun to observe friends, drinking since they were in high school while others acquaintances and strangers have a good time. kept their newfound drinking habits a secret from Other times it was startling. It terrified me that family back home. blackouts and late nights of vomiting — which blur the line between a fun time and life-threatening My mind went back and forth on the subject of scenario — were so normalized. alcohol. I was curious more than anything, so much so that I Googled “what does it feel like to be During a random Thursday my sophomore year, a drunk?” on more than one occasion. I wanted to late-night trip to the ER (unrelated to drinking) drink; I didn’t want to drink. I didn’t like the taste of seemed to confirm my suspicions. One after alcohol, but I had only tried a few kinds. If I never another, U-M students came in after dangerously tried more, how would I know? binge-drinking or having an accident while inebriated. “Happens every week,” a nurse told *** me. It’s well known that many American college One night, a group of friends and I decided to spend students, including those at the University, drink. the evening painting our nails and laughing at cheesy According to the National Institute on Alcohol rom-coms. Two bottles of cheap vodka were on deck Abuse and Alcoholism, “almost 53 percent of full- to make the night more fun. I watched my friends time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol gradually lose their inhibitions as the alcohol slipped in the past month and about 33 percent engaged into their bloodstreams. They seemed confident and in binge drinking during that same time.” relaxed. Giggles and conversation came naturally. Up until then, drinking seemed to seep into nearly They made being carefree look so easy. every activity: Parties, tailgates, even casual I decided to test my body. My friends never hangouts with friends. Occasionally, someone pressured me, and the fact that they drank alcohol would ask me why I wouldn’t drink, and I told them and I didn’t was never a main factor in our my medicine didn’t allow me to. It was a good friendship. But I wanted to know what I was missing enough reason that no one challenged it, but the out on. I drank plenty of water and had a stomach frequency of the question marked my soberness as full of food. Plus, if I did get sick, I was in my friend’s abnormal. bedroom with people I could trust. I felt like being Perhaps part of the stigma surrounding staying risky while simultaneously telling myself I was being sober in college is that people are not always safe. tolerant of weighing a different risk tolerance than Thirty minutes later, I felt nauseated and theirs. Alcohol is central to depictions of the lightheaded. Heat spread to my cheeks and my skin college experience, so deciding not to drink grew itchy. I didn’t feel the bubbliness Google had questions the status quo, thus implying that there told me I would feel, only sick and regretful. I wasn’t may be potential downsides of drinking culture. sure if and when I would drink alcohol again, but it Still, it’s not as though people who refuse to drink wouldn’t be anytime soon. have a vendetta against alcohol or believe By my sophomore year, my party-going was nearly themselves to be better. You do you! So long as non-existent as I picked up more hours at my part- you do so responsibly — knowing your limits and time job. The allure of alcohol-centered activities surrounding yourself with people who look out for didn’t completely fade away, but I often picked your safety — I have absolutely nothing against board games or movie nights over frat parties. I still drinking in college. held some curiosity for drinking, but I largely For me, the pressure to drink hasn’t gone away. If abandoned the thought of drinking myself. I was I need a reminder, I only need to look in my own scared of getting sick, wasn’t a fan of what I had home: living with seven other upperclassmen girls, tasted so far and didn’t want to have to rely on a our house has a shelf with a section reserved for substance to have a good time. wine glasses, a minifridge dedicated to alcoholic 11 beverages and a mantlepiece adorned with empty methanol, jet fuel and various narcotics that can wine and bottles for decoration. Going into my cause illness, organ failure or even death. senior year, there certainly still is some social Here are a few general tips to follow when enjoying pressure to drink, but the pressure I placed on wine and spirits abroad, as well as the "Four Ps" of myself has faded away. spotting counterfeit beverage alcohol: Drinking is different for everyone, as is the impact it PLACE: Always purchase wine and spirits from a has on individuals’ social lives. For me, it depends on bar, restaurant or retailer in the main shopping or whether or not I feel comfortable being around business district. Avoid remote or "off the beaten people who are drinking when I’m not. Many path" locations. When you walk into the liquor students choose not to drink, and nonalcoholic store, bar or restaurant, consider the mix of the drinks are on the rise. Regardless of whether or not other patrons you see. Seeing that both locals and I stay sober, I’ve come to realize the decision doesn’t tourists are shopping, dining or drinking is a sign make me any better of a person, nor does it make that the establishment is serving responsibly. me less fun as a human being. PRODUCT: Stick with brands you recognize and College has been a huge time of transition for my avoid the ones you do not. And when possible, do relationship with alcohol. I don’t feel different now not purchase mixed drinks. that I’m 21, but I’m happy that my fear of not fully experiencing college is no longer centered around PRICE: If the price seems too good to be true, it drinking. I don’t fear alcohol in relation to health as probably is. Be mindful of cheap, discount much, either, though I set my own limits now that products. I’m not on a medicine that does it for me. Maybe I’ll PACKAGING: When ordering in a bar or restaurant, have a drink, maybe I won’t. But if I’ve learned ask that your drink be made in front of you so you anything, it’s that turning down a drink doesn’t need can watch the product be poured from its bottle. If a justification. possible, check the bottle for poor labeling, misspelled words, and torn labels and seals. WSWA Issues Travel Guidance On How To Spot Given the hardships of the global pandemic, many Fake Alcohol popular vacation destinations for Americans have The Four Ps That Can Save Your Life: Place, Product, Price seen governments shut down breweries and and Packaging distilleries because they were deemed "non- News Release essential." This gave birth to a thriving black News provided by Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of market that has resulted in increased amounts of America illicit alcohol entering these marketplaces. Recent June 16, 2021 incidents of Americans falling ill, and in some cases dying, have caused an increase in public awareness WASHINGTON, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With and media coverage as Americans emerging from more than 45% of Americans having received at least COVID-19 lockdowns resume travel to these their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and CDC popular vacation destinations: guidance clearing air travel as low risk for vaccinated individuals, tourism is picking up globally. As Travel Advisory — Mexico Americans emerge from over a year of stay-at-home According to Mexican authorities, more than 100 orders, millions are making summer travel plans to people have died of tainted alcohol during the explore other countries, and many are planning to COVID-19 pandemic, with methanol being the consume alcohol during their stay abroad. suspected culprit in the illegal alcohol that has If you or someone in your travel party intends on been seized. The Mexican government forced having a few drinks in another country, you should breweries to shut down production as part of their be aware not all countries have a well-regulated COVID-19 lockdown measures, giving rise to a beverage alcohol system like the U.S. This can result substantial black market. The U.S. State in wine and spirits containing toxic substances like Department warns travelers of the dangers of unregulated alcohol in Mexico and urges visitors to 12 report suspicious product to the Comisión Federal (R-WV) and lead co-sponsor Senator Kyrsten para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios Sinema (D-AZ) for introducing this bill. Swonger (COFEPRIS), the U.S. embassy or the nearest urged Congress to swiftly pass the legislation by consulate. including it in the infrastructure bill. Travel Advisory — Costa Rica The Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021 would maximize the use of There is an ongoing health alert in Costa Rica for the innovative programs and technology to eliminate sale of alcoholic beverages adulterated with multiple substance impaired driving and allow methanol that involves 14 products. This year alone, states to better identify, monitor, or treat impaired authorities have inspected 464 sites, seized 1,164 drivers. products and reported 31 suspected cases resulting in 15 deaths. The U.S. State Department warns “DISCUS and Responsibility.org are committed to travelers that "Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has eliminating impaired driving from America’s advised any persons presenting health issues after roadways,” said Swonger. “The risk of crashes consuming alcohol, such as severe vomiting, increases exponentially when drivers are impaired agitation, disorientation, blindness, or any other from multiple substances, and this issue is only adverse reactions, to immediately call 911." now starting to be acknowledged and addressed as it continues to be a growing problem for states. Caution — Dominican Republic The process of identifying, prosecuting, and Last month, the Ministry of Public Health in the treating these high-risk offenders requires Dominican Republic reported 26 deaths due to specialized training, better data collection and new adulterated, illegal alcohol and warned citizens that technologies and countermeasures. We are some bottles of recognized brands were found to confident this bill will help states build a have been refilled with product containing foundation for addressing this ongoing problem.” methanol. This comes in the waning months of the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration COVID-19 pandemic, during which 369 cases, (NHTSA) has released 2020 preliminary traffic including 277 deaths, were reported. The U.S. State fatality data showing a 7 percent increase in deaths Department has not issued specific guidance on the despite a 13 percent decrease in vehicle miles dangers of consuming unregulated alcohol in the traveled. Last year’s increase was the biggest Dominican Republic. increase in traffic deaths in 13 years and NHTSA CONTACT: Michael Bilello, (202) 243-7506, identified causes as failure to wear seat belts, [email protected] speeding and impaired driving. More detail will be SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America available in the fall. Related Links: www.wswa.org Additional trauma center research from NHTSA showed nearly one in four seriously or fatally injured drivers tested positive for multiple Responsibility.Org Supports Senate Introduction of categories of drugs. the Multiple Substance Impaired Driving In addition to Responsibility.org and DISCUS, Prevention Act Of 2021 supporters of the legislation include AAA, the Beer News Release Institute, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Source: Responsibility.Org Education and Regulation (CPEAR), Governors June 15, 2021 Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the National ARLINGTON, Va. – Today, Chris R. Swonger, District Attorneys Association, the National Safety president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of Council, the National Sheriffs Association and the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). announced support for the bipartisan Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021. For more information on and resources to help Responsibility.org and DISCUS applauded the prevent multiple substance impaired driving, visit leadership of sponsor Senator Shelley Moore Capito www.stopHRID.org. 13

How Stiff Are Distilled Spirits Taxes in Your State? Studies Find Crash Rates Rise When States Legalize Marijuana; Suggest Link to Alcohol Tax Foundation By Janelle Cammenga Insurance Journal June 16, 2021 Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety June 17, 2021 Of all alcoholic beverages subject to taxation, stiff drinks—and all distilled spirits—face the stiffest tax Researchers report increasing evidence is that rates. Ostensibly, this is because distilled spirits motor vehicle crash rates rise when states legalize (liquor) have higher alcohol content than the other recreational use and retail sales of marijuana, categories, like wine and beer. This round of although what effects marijuana by itself has on information is on us, so help yourself to the drivers remains unclear. following map to see whether you’re shaken or Crash rates spiked with the legalization of stirred by how your state’s distilled spirits taxes recreational marijuana use and retail sales in compare with the rest of the nation. California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Data for this map comes from the Distilled Spirits Washington, new studies by two insurer backed Council of the United States (DISCUS). To allow for organizations, the Insurance Institute for Highway comparability across states, DISCUS uses a Safety (IIHS) and the affiliated Highway Loss Data methodology that calculates implied excise tax rates Institute (HLDI) show. in those states with government monopoly sales. However, the preliminary results of a separate IIHS In this category, Washington state has a huge lead study of injured drivers who visited emergency on the rest of the states with an excise tax rate on rooms in California, Colorado and Oregon showed distilled spirits of $35.31 per gallon. The Evergreen that drivers who used marijuana alone were no State is followed by Oregon ($21.95), Virginia more likely to be involved in crashes than drivers ($19.89), Alabama ($19.11), and Utah ($15.92). who hadn’t used the drug. That is consistent with Distilled spirits are taxed the least in Wyoming and a 2015 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety New Hampshire. These two control states gain Administration that found that a positive test for revenue directly from alcohol sales through marijuana was not associated with increased risk government-run stores and have set prices low of being involved in a police-reported crash. enough that they are comparable to buying spirits Despite those increases in crash rates, studies of without taxes. Missouri taxes are the next lightest at whether marijuana itself makes drivers more likely $2.00 a gallon, followed by Colorado ($2.28), Texas to crash have been inconsistent. The latest study ($2.40), and Kansas ($2.50). showed no increased crash risk associated with the Like many excise taxes, the treatment of spirits drug, except when combined with alcohol. varies widely across the states. Spirits excise rates “Our latest research makes it clear that legalizing may include a wholesale tax rate converted to a marijuana for recreational use does increase gallonage excise tax rate; case and/or bottle fees, overall crash rates,” says IIHS-HLDI President David which can vary based on size of container; retail and Harkey. “That’s obviously something policymakers distributor license fees, converted into a gallonage and safety professionals will need to address as excise tax rate; as well as additional sales taxes. more states move to liberalize their laws — even if (Note that this map does not include a state’s the way marijuana affects crash risk for individual general sales tax, only taxes in excess of the general drivers remains uncertain.” sales tax rate.) More than a third of U.S. states have legalized Distilled spirits tax rates may also differ within states recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older. The according to alcohol content, place of production, or hefty tax revenues those states are earning have place purchased (such as on- or off-premises or others exploring similar legislation, and recent onboard airlines). polls indicate that 68 percent of American adults Map: How High are Distilled Spirits Taxes in Your favor legalization. Consumption also appears to be State? expanding rapidly, with self-reports of past-month 14 marijuana use doubling from 6 percent to 12 percent percent increase HLDI identified in a previous of those surveyed between 2008 and 2019. study, which covered 2012-18. Road safety advocates say that’s a potential Uncertain Effect concern. Driving simulator tests have shown that Despite those increases in crash rates, studies of drivers who are high on marijuana react more whether marijuana itself makes drivers more likely slowly, find it harder to pay attention, have more to crash have been inconsistent. The latest one difficulty maintaining their car’s position in the lane from IIHS — which used data collected from and make more errors when something goes wrong injured drivers in three emergency rooms in than they do when they’re sober. But such tests Denver, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; and have also shown marijuana-impaired drivers are Sacramento, California — showed no increased likely to drive at slower speeds, make fewer crash risk associated with the drug, except when attempts to overtake and keep more distance combined with alcohol. between their vehicle and the one ahead of them. Researchers conducted surveys for more than a To better understand the net impact on safety, year, interviewing and drug-testing more than researchers at IIHS and HLDI have conducted a series 1,200 patients in total. The results showed that the of studies since 2014 examining how legalization has crash-involved drivers weren’t any more likely to affected crash rates and insurance claims in the first self-report or test positive for marijuana alone states to legalize recreational use. than other drivers who weren’t involved in a crash Rates Jumped and were at the emergency room for reasons other than an injury. The most recent of these studies from IIHS shows that injury and fatal crash rates in California, Just 4 percent of the drivers involved in crashes Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington jumped self-reported marijuana by itself over the previous in the months following the relaxation of marijuana eight hours, compared with 9 percent of those who laws in each state. weren’t involved in a crash. Similarly, 13 percent of the crash-involved drivers tested positive for Combined, the impact of legalization and, marijuana only, compared with 16 percent of the subsequently, retail sales in the five states resulted control set. in a 6 percent increase in injury crash rates and a 4 percent increase in fatal crash rates compared with The reverse was true for the combined use of other Western states where recreational marijuana marijuana and alcohol, with 3 percent of the crash- use was illegal during the study period. Only the involved drivers and fewer than 1 percent of the increase in injury crash rates was statistically control drivers self-reporting use of both significant. substances and 5 percent of the crash-involved drivers and fewer than 1 percent of the control That’s consistent with a 2018 IIHS study of police- drivers testing positive. reported crashes — most of which did not involve injuries or fatalities — that found that legalization of Those combined-use numbers could help explain retail sales in Colorado, Oregon and Washington was why crash rates have increased. Legalization may associated with a 5 percent higher crash rate be encouraging more people to drink and use compared with the neighboring control states. marijuana together. Insurance records show a similar increase in claims Studies comparing the simultaneous use of alcohol under collision coverage, which pays for damage to and marijuana in states where marijuana is legal an at-fault, insured driver’s own vehicle, HLDI’s with states where it is still against the law will be latest analysis shows. The legalization of retail sales needed to test this hypothesis. But some early in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington was evidence has already emerged that shows self- associated with a 4 percent increase in collision reports of past-month marijuana and alcohol use claim frequency compared with the other Western have increased, while the reported use of alcohol states over 2012-19. That’s down slightly from the 6 alone has decreased, especially in states where recreational use of marijuana is now legal. 15

A nationally representative survey conducted recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also found that drivers who self-reported using both alcohol and marijuana were more likely than those who had only consumed alcohol to say they had driven while impaired and engaged in dangerous driving behaviors such as making aggressive maneuvers or speeding on residential streets. Other factors related to how legalization has affected the way people use marijuana, rather than the physiological effects of the drug, may also be at play. For example, the larger spike in crash rates in Colorado — the first state to legalize recreational use — suggests a burst of enthusiasm that leveled off as the drug’s new status became more commonplace. The first few states to legalize marijuana even used the legalization as part of their tourism promotions. It’s also possible that disparities in state and local regulations might be encouraging more travel by marijuana users. For example, marijuana users in counties that do not allow retail sales may drive to counties that do. Their increased travel could lead to more crashes even if their crash risk per mile traveled is no higher than that of other drivers. Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (iIiihs.org)

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