Stopteendrinkingtn.org is one of our opponents in this debate. The org’s website presents visitors with the following information as part of an online petition.
TAKE ACTION!
• Wine in Grocery Stores – This bill would put wine on the shelves of 6,000 grocery stores and big box stores across the state – and right in the line of sight of any teenager entering their doors. Currently, only 525 retail alcohol establishments are licensed to sell wine in Tennessee.
Because Red White and Food just revealed its legislative strategy on Wednesday, we’ll cut stopteendrinkingtn.org a break and give them the opportunity to correct their facts.
The legislation recommended by the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association would limit sales to municipalities where citizens have voted for retail package sales. Not every grocery and convenience store in Tennessee would be allowed to sell wine. Here is the map:
Muncipalities allowing package sales
Stopteendrinkingtn.org conveniently fails to mention the Responsible Vendor Law and mandatory carding that the grocer and convenience store industry advocated. Retail food stores would extend mandatory carding to anyone purchasing wine if this legislation passes.
What people consider facts at one time can change as more information becomes available. It’s time for stopteendrinkingtn.org to now get its facts correct.
BTW, the Specialty Wine Retailers Association is not too happy with stopteendrinkingtn.org.
March 9th, 2008
Give me a break, does anyone really think that there is going to be a vast surge in underground teenage wine and cheese parties? And even if there was, would that be worse than illegal underage keggers?
March 9th, 2008
Wow, like beer isn’t sold in grocery stores already? Hello? Whatever measures are currently being used to stop teens from purchasing beer at the local Kroger will be used to stop them from purchasing wine, too.
This is just a lame fear ploy.
March 9th, 2008
Let’s see… A teenager has 10 bucks and is gonna try to buy some alcohol. A 12 pack of Icehouse or nice Merlot??? What’s he gonna go with? It’s time for Tennessee to cut the b.s. and start looking out for the consumers and not the lobbyists. Let’s vote these pigs out of office if they don’t give us what we want!!!
March 9th, 2008
The comments made by several regarding teens decision making when it comes to what alcohol to illegally purchase is right on the mark. A similar argument can also debunk fears about teen drinking when it comes to interstate shipment of wines. I have been to Napa & Sonoma many times and many wineries there have great “Club Member” shipping programs. As soon as I fill out the form, they tell me, “Sorry, we can’t ship to Tennessee”. As far as legislation, I think we would all agree that legislation that favors the profits of big business over the desires of the taxpayers (& voters) of the state is not good legislation.
March 12th, 2008
This kind of logic evades me!
These same folks (as well as the money grubbing liquor lobby) also don’t ant ME a responsible adult WELL over the age of 21 to be able to order wine over the internet.
Their logic: it will be easier for teens to drink.
Here is some fact based knowledge for you:
When I (a I am sure the ret of you who drank illegally) wanted to get together with my friends on a friday night and drink. I did not PLAN this event. It was a spur of the moment thing.
Therefore it is HIGHLY doubtful that your teenager or mine will be ORDERING wine over the internet in some sort of pre-planned clandestine party.
Additionally, since you need credit card which requires you to be at least 18 (and don’t even get me started on being able to vote or serve your country at 18 but not drink until 21) and you MUST show proof of age for the UPS/FedEx guy to deliver your point is not valid.
Now about buying it in retail stores other than the liquor store. Since EVERYONE gets carded, your organization’s points are also invalid.
March 22nd, 2008
“What’s the word?
Thunderbird!
March 26th, 2008
I was in attendance at Tuesday’s committee hearing on Senate Bill 3139 concerning the sale of wine in grocery stores. My impressions after hearing the speakers is that the liquor industry in Tennessee is the textbook definition of a rent-seeking entity. It’s clear they seek legislative favor to protect a competitive advantage.
After all the spurious rhetoric that’s been put forth by the liquor lobby regarding concerns about teen drinking, Mr. Christianson, who spoke for the liquor lobby, couldn’t obscure what their advocacy was really about, and that is protection for the business owners and employees who currently profit from the present laws. That’s the bottom line.
This is not a sufficient reason not to update our laws and provide Tennessee consumers the free market choice that is their right.
I am sorry to see that our lawmakers don’t have the backbone (still) to do that which is clearly the will of the people instead of the will of their campaign contributors.