Teenage Drinking and Driving

CARS protects teens from“alcopops”

In another closely watched measure, [Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger] vetoed a bill pushed by the liquor and retail industry that would have mandated that flavored malt beverages continue being taxed at the current rate of 20 cents a gallon.

Attorney General Bill Lockyer and opponents of teenage drinking wanted Schwarzenegger, who often sides with business interests on legislation, to reject the bill.

“He did the right thing standing up to the liquor lobby on that bill,” said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, which lobbies for legislation to reduce drunken driving….

California taxes beer at 20 cents a gallon, and distilled spirits—hard liquor—at $3.30 per gallon.

Lockyer is urging the Board of Equalization to impose the higher rate on flavored malt beverages.

[According to the American Medical Association, the liquor industry targets teenagers in their advertising and distribution of “alcopops.” The drinks are sweetened to appeal to kids, and laced with alcohol. The “booze” taste is removed and fruity flavorings are substituted. The drinks are sold in convenience stores and gas stations along with soda pop. Even kids who are warned by their parents not to drink beer, wine, or hard liquor may not realize the drinks, such as “Mike’s Hard Lemonade,” contain alcohol.]

– Sacramento Bee, October 8, 2005