“STOP” Underage Drinking

The "STOP Underage Drinking Act" is an important initiative in preventing and reducing underage drinking. Introduced by a bi-partisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives on July 21st, 2004, this legislation marks a much-needed recognition of the scope and devastating consequences of underage drinking, which tragically results in the death of more than nine young people every day in this country.

Inspired by the National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine’s September 2003 recommendations to Congress for a national strategy to prevent and reduce underage drinking (“Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility”), the bill represents a long-overdue acknowledgement of the need to begin addressing the many harms related to underage drinking.

The bill calls for improved enforcement of drinking laws, steps to reduce alcohol's availability to teens, more resources for local community efforts, and also begins the process of developing an adult-oriented media campaign. Finally, the bill provides for public health monitoring of the amount of alcohol advertising reaching our youth. This critical information will allow policymakers and parents to hold the alcohol industry accountable and responsible.

Visit the Center for Science and Public Interest Alcohol Policies Project Web site at http://www.cspinet.org/booze/040726STOPAA.htm to learn more about the bill and to take action in support of the “STOP Underage Drinking Act.”