IMPORTANT NEWS...
DBPR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Patrols Labor Day Weekend Football Games to Keep Underage Tailgaters Alcohol-Free
September 8, 2009
TALLAHASSEE—ABT agents patrolled the University of Florida versus Charleston Southern University, University of South Florida versus Wofford College and the Florida State University versus the University of Miami football games, issuing 72 Notices to Appear for possession of alcohol by an underage person. Tailgating is a traditional part of the football experience, and this weekend the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco worked to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage people during game-day festivities.
At Saturday’s UF game, ABT agents arrested 12 for possession of alcoholic beverages by an underage person. During the USF game, agents arrested 17 for underage drinking and one was cited for the additional charge of possession of marijuana. At Monday’s FSU versus Miami rivalry showdown, agents arrested 43 for possession of alcoholic beverages by an underage person.
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, Brown-Forman 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 www.MyFloridaLicense.com.