Alcohol News August 2003

Anheuser-Busch Introduces Latest Bacardi
The Mercury News, August 26, 2003
"Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. is rolling out the latest addition to its family of Bacardi "malternatives," hoping the juiced-up, raspberry-spiked beverage quenches what the world's largest brewer believes is consumer thirst for more flavors.
Bacardi Silver Raz joins a lineup that includes Bacardi Silver and Bacardi Silver O3, the latter launched in March by the St. Louis-based brewer and named for its makeup of its flavoring of three oranges. Anheuser-Busch unveiled its rum-flavored Bacardi Silver a year ago.
Flavored malt beverages, or "malternatives" that are malt-based like beer but flavored to taste like liquor, account for about 2.6 percent of the beer market, though sales are expected to dip more than 14 percent this year, Marlene Coulis, Anheuser-Busch's chief of new products, said Monday..."
AP Wire | 08/26/2003 | Anheuser-Busch Introduces Latest Bacardi:
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Brown-Forman Profit Falls
New York Times, August 28, 2003
"The Brown-Forman Corporation, the maker of Jack Daniel's whiskey and Southern Comfort liqueurs, said yesterday that quarterly profit dropped 14 percent after it settled a lawsuit over the distribution of Jack Daniel's in Britain.
Net income fell to $31.1 million, or 51 cents a share, from $36.1 million, or 53 cents a share, a year earlier, the company said. Sales in the period, which ended July 31 and was the first quarter of Brown-Forman's fiscal year, climbed 11 percent, to $532.6 million.
The settlement, with Diageo, hurt profit by 11 cents a share. Diageo, the world's largest liquor maker, claimed it had the right to extend a distribution contract under an agreement that expired in 2002."
Brown-Forman Profit Falls

Survey: Moonshine alive, but not well
CNN.com, August 26, 2003
"A cluster of patients who showed up at hospital emergency rooms with lead poisoning show that moonshine did not die out with Prohibition but is still popular in some cities, researchers said Tuesday.
An investigation in Atlanta showed more than 8 percent of patients surveyed said they had drunk illegally distilled alcohol in the past five years or so, the researchers report in the latest issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
"We were under the misconception that moonshine drinking was relatively rare these days, particularly in an urban area," Dr. Brent Morgan of the Georgia Poison Center, who led the study, said in a statement.
Morgan and colleagues started their survey after four adults showing up at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta had potentially fatal lead levels in their blood.
The patients, all of whom said they had recently drunk moonshine, had seizures, a hallmark of lead poisoning, abdominal pain, kidney problems, ulcers, and anemia.
Lead gets into moonshine when certain containers are used to make or store it. Car radiators were once notorious for producing poisonous brew.
"These four patients made us realize that perhaps lead exposure from moonshine was being overlooked in the emergency department," Morgan said.
His team surveyed 531 people in the Atlanta area, of whom 8.6 percent reported they had tasted moonshine within the past five years.
Of them, more than a quarter had drunk some of the harsh liquor within the previous week.
These patients were very likely to have high levels of lead in their blood. Moonshine drinkers were more likely to be men between ages 40 and 59 and heavy alcohol users.
"To our knowledge, our study is the first to provide rates of moonshine consumption, which was higher than we expected," Morgan said."
(fulltext of article)

Iowa School Considers Detox Facility for Drunk Students
JOIN Together Online, August 27, 2003
"A proposal to create a detoxification facility for students arrested for public intoxication has raised concerns among state and local officials in Iowa, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported Aug. 13.
Iowa City Police Chief R.J. Winkelhake said the idea for a short-term health and safety facility has been in development for about five years. The proposal has been pushed to the forefront by Phillip Jones, vice president for student services at the University of Iowa (UI), who recently re-introduced it.
With the state cutting UI's budget by $60 million over the past two years, state Board of Regents member Robert Downer said the proposal would require substantial review before any action is taken.
"We're certainly not in a position to undertake new activities at this point that are not part of UI's core missions," Downer said.
But Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City) said the facility would not just serve UI students. "When you look at intoxication problems at downtown Iowa City, it's not just UI students," he said.
According to Bolkcom, residents, high-school students, and individuals living on the streets also contribute to the city's intoxication problem.
Sen. Bob Dvorsky (D-Coralville) also supports the facility, saying it would provide an alternative to the overcrowding problem in the county jail. Currently, UI students arrested for public intoxication are sent to Johnson County Jail.
Iowa School Considers Detox Facility for Drunk Students

A Message to Subscribers
Dear Marin Institute News Digest Subscribers:
Because I will be on vacation for the next few days, today will be the last circulated issue of the Marin Institute News Digest, until September 2nd. If you have any questions, or comments please feel free to email me.
Sincerely,
Shanita Jones

Nevada College Students Criticize Alcohol Ban
JOIN TOGETHER Online, August 25, 2003
"Students attending the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR) question whether the partial alcohol ban that takes effect this fall will accomplish its goal of reducing underage drinking on campus, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Aug. 22.
The ban prohibits alcohol at student-sponsored events where minors are participants. In addition, fraternities are banned from hosting parties where liquor is served.
However, the policy allows alcohol at tailgate parties, university department-sponsored parties, and events held in Lawlor Events Center and Mackay Stadium.
Chul Yim, president of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said the ban would only encourage students to have parties at private homes.
"So it's not helping the problem, it's spreading it around." Yim said. "At Greek houses, they knew when we were having a party there would be some sort of security, and we shut the party down around midnight. But now some other students are holding parties in their private houses until 2 or 3 in the morning and if the cops break it up, they just move it to another student's house."
University officials established the partial ban following the alcohol-related drowning death of a freshman last year.
"Generally, many of the events sponsored by student organizations where there was alcohol, in our opinion, were unsafe events," said Rita Laden, UNR's assistant vice president of student life services. "In addition to being unsafe, students under the legal drinking age were obtaining alcohol, and we needed to do something to prevent underage drinking and make the campus a safer environment."

Scottish Bar Owners Oppose Looser Drinking Laws
JOIN TOGETHER Online, August 19, 2003
"A policy panel plans to send 90 recommendations to the Scottish government that would liberalize Scotland's 1976 drinking laws, the Scotsman reported Aug. 18.
Among the recommendations is a proposal to remove restrictions on opening hours.
Pub owners said the recommendations could encourage binge drinking. Eliminating licensing hours, they said, could result in more drink promotions and major price cutting as bars and nightclubs compete for the same business.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) is also concerned that the recommendations would result in chains forcing out independently run bars.
"We believe there are far too many licenses already. These plans would send the wrong signals out and premises with entertainment licenses, such as nightclubs, agree with that. The last thing we want is a free-for-all on hours, with everyone competing with everyone else," said Paul Waterson, chief executive of SLTA.
Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, who led the review group, said the recommendations are designed to ease restrictions on pubs that are responsible, while cracking down on establishments that cause problems with the police and the community."

The Wine Wars
The New York Times, August 23, 2003
"...Direct-shipping laws, established by the states, govern whether a consumer of wine, beer or spirits can have beverages sent straight to his home. If you have ever visited a winery and tasted a fine Chardonnay only to learn it is illegal to have a case of it sent to your front door, you have had a brush with these laws.
The issue is important to many small winemakers in California, who want to take advantage of the Internet to differentiate themselves in the crowded, $20 billion wine market in the United States. It is also a big deal for wine lovers who want to order from those wineries but can't - well, not legally.
It is a major issue, too, for state officials who want to keep strong control over alcohol sales - and for beverage wholesalers, who could lose millions if the rules change.
The courtroom battle over direct shipping may wind up in the Supreme Court. Several challenges to the shipping laws have already gone to federal appeals courts - and resulted in contradictory decisions. The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago determined in 2001 that Indiana's laws prohibiting direct shipping were constitutional. But other appellate courts decided this year that laws in North Carolina and Texas were not..."

Wis. Lawmaker Wants to Stop Minors from Drinking with Parents
FACE, Daily Alcohol News, August 22, 2003
"Rep. John Ainsworth (R-Shawano) wants to change a Wisconsin law that allows children to consume alcoholic drinks at bars as long as their parents are present.
Ainsworth's bill would only allow individuals age 18 and older to drink in bars if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The legal drinking age in Wisconsin is 21, but the current law permits parents to take their children to a bar and serve them alcohol, regardless of their age.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association opposes Ainsworth's bill. Paul Merline of the association said responsible drinking can be an important educational experience for a child.
Merline added that tavern and restaurant owners have the option not to serve alcohol to anyone under age 21, even if a parent is present.

Urgent Call for Industry Support in FMB Issue
Probrewer.com, August 19, 2003
"The Brewers Association of America, Beer Institute, Association of Brewers and the National Beer Wholesalers Association have mounted a campaign seeking support from both brewers and consumers for a proposed change in the rule defining flavored malt beverages, also know at malternatives or FMBs..."
"Under this proposed rule, products that contain .5% or more distilled alcohol by volume will be taxed and classified as distilled spirits produced at a distilled-spirits plant, taxed at the rate applicable to distilled-spirits products, labeled and advertised as a distilled-spirits specialty, and distributed by persons holding basic permits as wholesalers of distilled spirits."
(fulltext of article)

Metro Briefing: Connecticut
New York Times, August 19, 2003
"HARTFORD: EXPANDED LIQUOR STORE HOURS Under a new state law, liquor stores are allowed to stay open until 9 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. The new law took effect Saturday. The change affects all Connecticut liquor stores and grocery stores that sell alcohol, but it is up to individual owners to decide whether to remain open for an extra hour. Many package store owners were unaware of the change and have not yet expanded their hours. Lawmakers said they hoped that the change would bring in more liquor tax revenue."

Hello everyone! My name is Shanita Jones, and I will be taking over the Marin Institute News Digest, now that Dan has left us to pursue other endeavors. If anyone has requests for certain types of stories they would like to see in the Marin Institute News, please do not hesitate to send me an email, and let me know.
Thanks,
Shanita Jones

Univ. of Colorado parties to top of list
CNN.com, August 19, 2003
"Despite a six-year effort to curb binge drinking at the University of Colorado, the school ranked third in widespread use of marijuana, fourth in the prevalence of hard liquor consumption and 11th in the prevalence of beer usage, Princeton Review reported in its 2004 findings. CU also ranked first among schools where students study the least."

U.S. Wine Market Sees Largest Increase in 10 Years
Wine Spectator, 08/10/03
"Total wine consumption in the United States increased 6 percent in 2002 to 245 million cases, according to prepublished research figures from the 2003 edition of The U.S. Wine Market: Impact Databank Review and Forecast. The growth represents the biggest annual percentage increase since 1992, the year after federal excise taxes on wine were raised..."
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DIAGEO ASSIGNS TWO ACCOUNTS : Assignments Include On-premise Marketing, Sampling and Promotions
AdAge.com, 08/04/03
"Spirits marketer Diageo consolidated its on-premise marketing with US Concepts, New York, for Diageo North America and Diageo-Guinness USA brands in most states..."
Among others, the advertising unit will handle such brands as Smirnoff, Smirnoff Ice, Smirnoff Ice Triple Black, Captain Morgan, Baileys Irish Cream, Guinness, Harp, Red Stripe, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy, Tanqueray, Grand Marnier, Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon.
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CDC Fights Drunk Driving Among Native Americans
Join Together Online, 8/8/2003
"Alcohol plays a major role in motor-vehicle crashes among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Now, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking proposals to develop, implement, and evaluate community-based interventions to reduce such crashes..."
(fulltext of JTO News Summary)

SMOKERS in the United States are turning to tobacco-based cocktails in an effort to beat a ban on lighting up in public places
The Scotsman, UK, 8/3/03
"...Tough new anti-smoking legislation has been introduced in several states, including Florida and New York, with fines of up to £75 for first offenders.
"Bars are responding to the law changes by developing drinks to match the taste of smokers' favourite brands.
"The World Bar, in Trump World Tower, now serves up the "Smokeless Manhattan", a drink made of Churchill's port, Laphroaig whisky and orange bitters, which reportedly tastes like Marlboro Reds..."
(fulltext of article)See Also:
Smoking ban leads to nicotini drink : (Baltimore SUn, 7/31/03)
"...Call it a liquid cigarette because this drink comes complete with the nicotine rush and tobacco aftertaste found in a pack of Camels. These tobacco-spiked martinis are being served up for die-hard smokers who don't want to leave their barstools and go outside to light up..."

More Youth Exhibit Alcohol, Other Drug Dependency
Join Together Online, 8/5/03
A new study focusing on America's adolescents shows a high percentage of youth ages 12 to 17 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episodes, and alcohol and other drug dependency, according to an Aug. 4 press release from the Medical University of South Carolina.
(fulltext of JTO News Summary)

ABSOLUT HUNK: STORY OF A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT PLACEMENT: Make-believe Ad on 'Sex and the City' Creates Real-Life Sensation
AdAge.com, 8/4/03
"Absolut Spirits hit the product-placement mother lode last week when its iconic vodka advertising was featured as part of a story line in HBO's Sex and the City...The experience has given Absolut a new appetite for product placement for its vodka. Absolut will also appear in a music video from Nelly and Brian McKnight, coincidentally named "All Night Long."
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NEW STUDIES TO CALL FOR TIGHTER REINS ON ALCOHOL INDUSTRY
Christian Science Monitor, 8/4/03
"Later this month, the Federal Trade Commission will issue a study on whether the $450,000 the industry spends every hour to advertise alcohol reaches too high a proportion of underage youths.
"And next month, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) plans to release a report to Congress on scientifically validated, effective programs to reduce and prevent underage drinking...Aware of the alcohol industry's enormous lobbying clout and campaign largess, more than 130 members of Congress signed a letter in June to the NAS president warning that the $500,000 appropriation for the study was not aimed at producing "a primer of suggested public-policy changes intended to adversely affect the beverage industry..."
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Budget cuts slice through social services: State's trouble could threaten matching funds that sustain programs
Marin Independent Journal, 8/6/03
"...The new California budget will reduce funding for health services in Marin County by more than $250,000, said Larry Meredith, head of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services.
"Drug and alcohol programs such as the Marin Treatment Center are hardest hit, suffering about $150,000 in specific cuts this year, on top of a $150,000 reduction last year, officials said...The county does not provide drug and alcohol services directly, but instead passes state money to 12 nonprofit agencies. For many of these non-profits, cuts in state and county funding could mean reductions in other funding, as well."
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August Is the Most Dangerous Month for Drinking and Driving; Costs of DUI Arrest at an All Time High
Business Wire, 8/6/03
"More people are killed and injured in alcohol-related collisions in California during August than in any other month, according to an analysis by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
"The analysis looks at a seven-year period from 1996-2002. During that time, 855 persons were killed and 19,835 were injured statewide in alcohol-related collisions during August. July was number two with 815 deaths and 19,771 injuries. February had the lowest number of deaths and injuries with 632 deaths and 16,338 injuries..."
(fulltext of press release)