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  • Attorneys Tell Pabst to Dump “Binge in a Can” Blast

    For Immediate Release
            Contacts: Michael Scippa 415 548-0492
            Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336

    Attorneys Tell Pabst to Dump “Binge in a Can” Blast

    Marin Institute Says Don’t Forget Four Loko, Joose, and Tilt

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA (APRIL 21, 2011) – Alcohol industry watchdog Marin Institute applauded 17 state attorneys general and San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera for their quick action to stop the latest supersized alcopop - Blast by Colt 45.

    "State law-enforcers heard the national outcry," said Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director of Marin Institute. “Supersized alcopop Blast is too big, too potent and marketed to youth.”

    The sickly sweet, 12% alcohol fruity-flavored beverage is sold in 23.5 oz. cans, which the attorneys general deemed “impossible to drink responsibly.” Marin Institute had mounted a petition campaign before the product’s official release on April 5, targeting the Metropoulos family - new owners of Colt 45 parent Pabst Brewing Company. Activists drew public attention to the dangerous brew and its exploitative viral marketing to young fans of hip-hop/rap star Snoop Dogg, the spokesperson and public face of the new product.

    Minister Paul Scott, of Durham, NC-based Messianic Afrikan Ministry said, “We must stop these corporations from using the beautiful art of Hip Hop to destroy young minds. Music should instead be used to strengthen them.”

    Marin Institute helped lead the recent drive to ban the mixing of caffeine and alcohol in products such as Four Loko and Joose. However the brands were quickly back on the market, supersized, minus the caffeine, and soon to be joined by newcomer Blast. Youth-friendly alcoholic products like these are cheap, powerful and dangerous. They fuel binge-drinking, which can result in tragic outcomes such as violent crime, car crashes and high-risk sex, to name just a few. Marin Institute has drafted model legislation to limit the size and alcohol content of these dangerous products.

    “Unfortunately a number of flavored malt beverage alcopops are supersized,” explained Livingston. “We are hopeful that other attorneys general join this action against Blast, and also include similar dangerous products like Four Loko, Joose, and Tilt.”

    For additional information please visit MarinInstitute.org

    - Dennis Herrera's Press Release and Press Kitpdf

    - Watch the Videos 

    - Take Action

    # # #


  • Maryland Passes Alcohol Sales Tax Increase

       

    MarylandStateHouse

    The Maryland General Assembly recently passed legislation to increase the sales tax on alcohol products from the 6% that applies generally, to 9% just for alcohol. This is the first time an alcohol-specific tax was raised in Maryland since 1972. The increase will raise at least $87 million annually in new state revenue, and will go into effect July 1, 2011. Increasing alcohol taxes is an effective strategy for reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. Marin Institute applauds Maryland lawmakers for their action to protect the public's health.



  • Phusion Projects and United Brands Skip Out on New York Alcopop Hearing

    AEDcans2

    It may have been the most important public hearing on alcopops to date, and yet two major producers of these dangerous products couldn’t be bothered to show up.

    The New York Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse held a public hearing on April 12 to discuss the need to restrict youth access to alcopops: sweet, fruit-flavored alcohol drinks, often with alcohol levels as high as 12%. Alcopops producers directly market them to underage drinkers, and cost hundreds of lives and billions of dollars of alcohol-related harm annually. 

    Setting an example for all states, New York State has conducted studies that revealed the startling availability of alcopops to teens. Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), chair of the Committee, recently introduced Senate Bill 4221 to address the problem by restricting the sale of flavored malt beverages to liquor stores. As part of the legislative process, the recent Committee hearing provided a forum for both for both opponents and proponents  to make their case about alcopop availability on the record and before relevant lawmakers. 

    NYAlcopopHearing2Despite issuing statements touting the safety of their products and complaining that the proposed legislation is “misguided,” two primary manufacturers of these products – Phusion Projects (Four Loko) and United Brands (Joose) – both failed to attend. Their absence was striking, given their confident appearances at previous hearings in multiple states regarding their products.

    Perhaps they knew that their shoddy defenses couldn’t withstand a public conversation about the evidence against their products? In this case, their (lack of) action certainly speaks louder than their press releases.

    To listen to the full public hearing, click here.


  • San Francisco City Hall Rally Calls for State Ban on Retail Self-Serve Alcohol Checkout

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Englishpdf
    Spanishpdf 

    Contact:  Michael Scippa 415 548-0492
    Jorge Castillo  213 840-3336

     
    San Francisco City Hall Rally Calls for State Ban
    on Retail Self-Serve Alcohol Checkout
     
    Research Shows Self-Serve Checkout Enables Youth to Buy or Steal Booze
       
    Broad Support Demonstrated for California
    Assemblywoman Fiona Ma’s AB 183

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 8, 2011) – Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, joined with California State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Police Officers, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Metro United Methodist Ministries and high school students today on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to call for a statewide ban on alcohol sales through self-serve checkout.

    “The rise in self-serve checkout lanes in retail stores that sell alcoholic beverages is creating a recipe for disaster,”stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Marin Institute executive director and CEO. “Easy access is a key driver of underage drinking, which in turn causes violent crime, car crashes, and high-risk sex.”

    More than 2.3 million underage youth drink alcohol each year in California. Research done by the San Diego State University Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies last summer showed great vulnerabilities in self-checkout machines which allowed minors to purchase alcohol without providing age verification.

    "Underage drinking costs Californian taxpayers an estimated $8.1 billion annually," said Assemblywoman Ma. "AB 183 will prevent alcohol from getting in the wrong hands and protects the public and our youth."

    A 2009 UCLA study found 20% of young adults were able to override self-service checkout by scanning other items and/or swiping credit cards. In 2007, underage drinkers consumed nearly 14% of all alcohol sold in California, totaling $3.6 billion in sales.

    AB 183 will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization (GO) Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at the State Capitol.  Marin Institute is encouraging people to tell Committee Chair Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) to protect the health and safety of California youth and all residents and visitors by passing the bill.  In 2010, an identical bill, authored by Assembly Member Hector De La Torre (D-Los Angeles), was passed by both the Assembly and Senate, but vetoed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

    To take action on AB 183, go to: www.MarinInstitute.org

    ###

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    Untitled document
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact:  Michael Scippa 415 548-0492
                                                                               Jorge Castillo  213 840-3336

    San Francisco City Hall Rally Calls for State Ban
    on Retail Self-Serve Alcohol Checkout

    Research Shows Self-Serve Checkout Enables Youth to Buy or Steal Booze

    Broad Support Demonstrated for California
    Assemblywoman Fiona Ma’s AB 183
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 8, 2011) – Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, joined with California State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Police Officers, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Metro United Methodist Ministries and high school students today on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to call for a statewide ban on alcohol sales through self-serve checkout.

    “The rise in self-serve checkout lanes in retail stores that sell alcoholic beverages is creating a recipe for disaster,” stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Marin Institute executive director and CEO. “Easy access is a key driver of underage drinking, which in turn causes violent crime, car crashes, and high-risk sex.”  
    More than 2.3 million underage youth drink alcohol each year in California. Research done by the San Diego State University Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies last summer showed great vulnerabilities in self-checkout machines which allowed minors to purchase alcohol without providing age verification.
    "Underage drinking costs Californian taxpayers an estimated $8.1 billion annually," said Assemblywoman Ma. "AB 183 will prevent alcohol from getting in the wrong hands and protects the public and our youth."

    A 2009 UCLA study found 20% of young adults were able to override self-service checkout by scanning other items and/or swiping credit cards. In 2007, underage drinkers consumed nearly 14% of all alcohol sold in California, totaling $3.6 billion in sales.
    AB 183 will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization (GO) Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at the State Capitol.  Marin Institute is encouraging people to tell Committee Chair Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) to protect the health and safety of California youth and all residents and visitors by passing the bill.  In 2010, an identical bill, authored by Assembly Member Hector De La Torre (D-Los Angeles), was passed by both the Assembly and Senate, but vetoed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    To take action on AB 183, go to: www.MarinInstitute.org
    ###

  • New York State Cracks Down on Alcopops and Caffeinated Alcohol


       

    klein2Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Chair of the Senate Alcohol and Drug Committee, has introduced two important pieces of legislation that will restrict the access of minors to alcopops and ban caffeinated alcoholic beverages “once and for all.” Recent undercover sting and survey results showed that the sweet, high-alcohol products and their caffeinated counterparts continue to be easily accessed by young drinkers. Senate Bill 4221 would restrict the sale of the flavored malt beverages to liquor stores. Senate Bill 3889 would make the sale of caffeinated alcoholic beverages illegal. Both bills are supported by a wide range of public health advocates including Marin Institute.