Division of Alcoholic beverages and tobacco

History of AB&T

The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco was originally created as the “Malt and Vinous Beverage Department” in 1933 following the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which placed the responsibility of controlling the alcoholic beverage industry upon the states. Two years later it became the “State Beverage Department” and in 1945, the state’s cigarette industry was added as a responsibility of the department. In 1969, the department was grouped with other business regulatory programs as a division under the Department of Business Regulation. The name was expanded to what it is today, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, in 1977.

The Division is the second largest revenue-collecting agency in the State of Florida and collects an average of one billion dollars annually. It is the only division in DBPR with sworn law enforcement powers. Staffed with over 400 personnel, the division administers statewide control over the alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries with the mission of keeping alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, ensuring that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida and collecting taxes and fees related to these industries.