VOICE YOUR CONCERN

Tennesseans who are concerned about teenage drinking can play a critical role in controlling underage access to alcohol in our state.

Each year, threats emerge that would make alcohol more available to our youth. Tennesseans Against Teen Drinking is concerned about several efforts to liberalize laws governing beverage alcohol in Tennessee.

• Lowering the Legal Drinking Age -The debate over lowering the drinking age is heating up in several states, but the evidence is clear—Age-21 laws save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says laws setting the drinking age at 21 have cut traffic fatalities involving drivers ages 18-20 by 13%. We must oppose any efforts in Tennessee to lower the drinking age.

• Direct Shipping of Alcohol – This legislation would allow wine to be shipped across state lines and delivered into the hands of anyone, including our kids, who opens the door. Teens could order wine on the Internet where it is impossible to check ID. The U.S. Supreme Court also recently ruled that it is not the job of UPS and FedEx to check IDs.

• Wine in Grocery Stores – This bill would put wine on the shelves of grocery and big box stores across the state – and right in the line of sight of any teenager entering their doors. The state Fiscal Review Committee estimates 2,700 new stores will be able to sell wine — more than 5x the number that can sell it today. The alcohol content of wine is at least double that of beer, and studies show that more minors experiment with wine than beer.