IMPORTANT NEWS...

Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to Patrol Football Games and Protect Underage Youth from Alcohol

September 3, 2009

TALLAHASSEE—For many Floridians, Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of football season.  With football season, comes the longstanding tradition of tailgating, which often involves alcohol.  The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is committed to keeping alcohol out of the hands of the underage.  While prevention and education are preferred methods for protecting our youth, ABT agents will patrol football games and enforce state laws.  This Saturday, agents will patrol pre- and post-game festivities in Gainesville for the game between the University of Florida and Charleston Southern University.

Preventing underage drinking is a top priority for ABT. The division takes a three-tiered approach to combating underage drinking through education, prevention and enforcement.  For the second year, the department has partnered with The Charmer Sunbelt Group and CBS Radio to promote Tailgaters Urging Responsibility & Fun, or TURF. This initiative seeks to positively impact the game environment for everyone with tips for a successful celebration, reminders about responsible alcohol consumption and actionable steps fans can take to ensure that the game, and the tradition of tailgating, is preserved.

The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.

The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.  The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.  For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com. 

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