IMPORTANT NEWS...
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’s “Operation Boutonniere Bust” Protects Students from Underage Drinking During Prom
April 26, 2010
MIAMI—The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’s “Operation Boutonniere Bust,” a compliance effort to ensure that alcoholic beverage retailers do not make underage alcohol sales, found a retail compliance rate of 92 percent last week. ABT agents conducted 12 alcohol compliance checks and cited Pala's, located at 1000 W. Avenue, Miami Beach, for selling alcohol to an underage individual.
“‘Operation Boutonniere Bust,’ is an effective way to prevent underage drinking by holding our retailers responsible when they sell alcohol to underage investigative aides. It is important that we protect teens by ensuring our retailers are upholding underage drinking laws,” said Interim Secretary Charlie Liem.
During the operation, investigative aides, who are between the ages of 14 and 19, attempted to purchase alcohol. Employees who made underage alcohol sales were arrested. Selling alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 can result in a $1,000 fine and a seven-day license suspension for the first occurrence. Individuals who sell or give alcohol to an underage person can be sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
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 of Business and Professional Regulation’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.