IMPORTANT NEWS...
State Agency Announces Annual Spring Break Initiative to Curb Underage Drinking
February 29, 2012
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today announced its annual initiative to keep Floridians and visitors safe during the Spring Break season. DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) will patrol popular Spring Break destinations to identify underage drinking or sales of alcohol to minors. The Division will also partner with several local law enforcement agencies to assist in local Spring Break enforcement efforts.
“Keeping alcohol away from underaged kids is an important priority,” said Secretary Ken Lawson. “Our responsibility to keep Floridians and tourists safe during this time is something we take very seriously.”
The Division is charged with enforcing Florida’s alcoholic beverage laws, including the prohibitions against underage drinking and regularly conducts compliance and enforcement checks throughout the state. Due to the increase of students and others visiting throughout the state during Spring Break, the Division routinely increases enforcement efforts to help ensure a safer environment for residents and guests.
ABT enforcement patrols will continue through the month of March across the state to ensure patrons and retailers are in compliance with underage drinking laws. Affected cities include Daytona Beach, Ft. Myers, Ft. Pierce, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Pensacola and Tallahassee. Additionally, because Panama City Beach remains one of the nation’s top Spring Break destinations the Division will work closely with officials in Panama City to provide more concentrated enforcement efforts.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
More information about DBPR is available online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.