Need for prevention increases with easing of alcohol-related regulations

The cumulative effects of recent legislation regarding alcohol promotion and advertising (see list below), coupled with the pre-existing pervasiveness of such marketing, must be considered from a youngster’s perspective. Many of these enactments permit a casual approach to alcohol use (just before driving a car and running errands, e.g.), others contribute to the overall normalization of alcohol use, and some allow promotions that will have an intended or unintended impact on youth.

Past and presumably future legislative trends in this regard are clear. WASAVP asks that the legislature help balance this situation by replacing some of the cuts to community and school based prevention services that have been simultaneously imposed over this same time period, due to revenue shortfalls.  Enactment of HB 2014 is one way to begin achieving this balance.

2011

SHB 1172, Creates a pilot project for beer and wine tasting at farmers markets.

SSB 5788,
• Allows spirits, beer, and wine restaurants and hotels to sell beer in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the restaurant/hotel and filled at the tap at the time of sale (e.g., growlers).

• Allows special occasion licensees to pay for beer and wine immediately following the end of an event and allows wineries and breweries to pay reasonable special occasion table fees.

• Allows branded promotional items to include the logo of a professional sports team.

• Removes the 40 per year limit on nonclub, member-sponsored events by private club licensees.

SHB 1202, Creates a pilot project for spirits sampling in state and contract liquor stores.

SSB 5156, Creates a liquor license allowing VIP airport lounge operators to serve spirits, beer, and wine for on premises consumption.

HB 1244, Allows a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant to sell beer in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the restaurant and filled at the tap by the restaurant at the time of sale (e.g., growlers).

2009-2010

SSB 6329, A grocery store licensed to sell beer and/or wine may obtain an endorsement to offer beer and wine tasting.

ESHB 5110, Wedding boutiques and art galleries may offer one glass of wine or beer without charge to customers at least 21 years of age for on-premise consumption

EHB 2040,
• Permits financial interests between liquor manufacturers, distributors, and retailers under certain conditions.

• Allows liquor manufacturers and distributors to provide branded promotional items to retailers.

• Eliminates the mandatory 10 percent minimum mark-up for beer and wine manufacturers to charge distributors and for distributors to charge retailers.

SHB 1415, Allows the Legislative Gift Center to sell wine produced in Washington to persons 21 years of age or older for off-premises consumption.

2007-2008

SHB 1047, Allows grocery stores licensed by the Liquor Control Board that have a snack bar license to sell confections with up to 10 percent alcohol to persons 21 or older.

SSB 5721, Allows a liquor manufacturer, importer, or distributor to enter into an arrangement with a sports/entertainment facility licensee or an affiliated business for brand advertising at the licensed facility or promoting events held at the facility.