This is from a UU e-mail newsletter that I get (and is it just me, or does the name sound like a lollipop?):
This is not the most elegant issue to be used as a subject for a Legislative Watch message, but it nevertheless involves some important social justice elements.
The alcoholic beverage industry is marketing an alcoholic beverage called “alcopops”, a sweet, fruity flavored beverage which has the taste of conventional soft drinks, but the alcohol content can exceed that of beer. It is reportedly designed to attract young (often under age), entry-level alcohol drinkers who are accustomed to the flavor of soft drinks but not the harsher tastes of regular alcoholic beverages. Alcopops have been marketed under hard liquor brand names, such as Smirnoff and Bacardi.
Alcopops became the subject of legislation in the recent session of the Maryland Assembly. The question has arisen as to whether alcopops is like beer or like hard liquor. If it is classified with beer, then the state tax is only 9 cents per gallon, can be sold widely in convenience stores, grocery stores and the like, and can be advertised on television like beer. But if it is classified as hard liquor, then the state tax is $1.50 per gallon, and it can only be sold in liquor stores. The current Maryland Attorney General ruled that alcopops should be classified as hard liquor, but a vigorous effort was mounted in the legislature to get it classified as beer. With little fanfare the bill was passed overwhelmingly.
The bill is now on the governor’s desk, and an effort has been mounted to persuade him to veto it. He deferred signing it at the last bill signing session. The next bill signing session is scheduled for May 13.
Classifying alcopops with beer offers considerable advantages for the alcoholic beverage industry. Proponents of the legislation may claim the right of businesses to pursue their efforts with minimum interference from government. They may also be categorically opposes to any increases in taxes.
Advocates for classifying alcopops as hard liquor point to the critical role that alcohol plays in teenage motor vehicle deaths. 22% of young drivers killed in fatal crashes were intoxicated. Young people who began drinking before the age of 15 have been found to be 15 times more likely to be involved in an alcohol-related automobile crash. Specifically in Maryland, alchopops was responsible for 9 deaths, 7,500 incidents of harm, and $210 million in economic losses. Underage teenagers consume almost half of the alcopops sold in California. Young women seem to be especially attracted to alcopops marketing.
Some of us will be communicating with Governor O’Malley along the following lines. You may or may not agree with the thoughts expressed. You may elect to use the text of this message, or you can increase your influence by composing your own message. In addition to communicating with the Governor you may elect to send copies (not blind copies) to your Maryland legislative delegation. Governor O’Malley’s e-mail address is mom@gov.state.md.us It is essential to communicate with the Governor O’Malley before May 13th.
Honorable Martin O’Malley
Annapolis, Maryland
Dear Governor O’Malley:
This is to strongly urge you to veto SB 745, having to do with classifying “alcopops” with beer rather than as hard liquor.
The alcoholic beverage industry clearly markets alcopops to induce young people – many of them underage – to begin consuming alcohol. Certainly we have more than enough problems with teenage/underage alcohol consumption/automobile deaths. We don’t need to pave the way for the alcoholic beverage industry to increase their profits by inducing more young people to consume ever greater amounts of alcohol.
Thank you.
**Howard County Delegation
District 9
Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-9)
420 James Senate Office Bldg.
410-841-3671 or 301-858-3671
allan.kittleman@senate.state.md.us
Finance Committee Minority whip
Del. Gail Bates (R-9A)
319 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3556 or 301-858-3556
gail.bates@house.state.md.us
Appropriations Committee
Del. Warren Miller (R-9A)
319 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3582 or 301-858-3582
warren.miller@house.state.md.us
Economic Matters Committee
District 12
Sen. Edward Kasemeyer (D-12)
301 James Senate Office Bldg,
410-841-3653 or 301-858-3653
edward.kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us
Budget & Taxation Committee, Majority Leader, Chair of county Senate delegation
Del. Steven DeBoy (D-12A)
306 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3328 or 301-858-3328
steven.deboy@house.state.md.us
Appropriations Committee
Del. James Malone (D-12A)
251 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3378 or 301-858-3378
james.malone@house.state.md.us
Environmental Matters Committee (vice-chair)
Del. Elizabeth Bobo (D-12B)
214 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3205 or 301-858-3205
elizabeth.bobo@house.state.md.us
Environmental Matters Committee
District 13
Sen. James Robey (D-13)
120 James Senate Office Bldg.
410-841-3572 or 301-858-3572
james.robey@senate.state.md.us
Budget & Taxation Committee
Del. Guy Guzzone (D-13)
206 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3471 or 301-858-3471
guy.guzzone@house.state.md.us
Appropriations Committee
Del. Shane Pendergrass (D-13)
362 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3139 or 301-858-3139
shane.pendergrass@house.state.md.us
Vice-Chair, Health & Government Operations Committee
Del. Frank Turner (D-13)
206 House Office Bldg.
410-841-3246 or 301-858-3246
frank.turner@house.state.md.us
Ways & Means Committee
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