July 10, 2007 - California Alcopops Labeling Bill Clears Senate Governmental Organization Committee; Legislators Help Control Alcohol Marketing to Kids

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 10 (AScribe Newswire) -- AB 346, a measure authored by California Assembly Members Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Lori Saldana (D-San Diego) cleared another hurdle today when the Senate Governmental Organization Committee passed the bill on a bipartisan vote of 6 to 2. The legislation would ensure that underage youth, parents, teachers, law enforcement personnel, retail employees that sell alcoholic beverages, and other members of the public are able to readily discern that a particular product contains alcohol. The measure also mandates a clear label statement signifying the amount of alcohol the product contains.

"This is an important step in the state's fight against underage drinking," said Michael Scippa, Advocacy Director for Marin Institute. "We are delighted that Chairman Dean Florez and a strong majority of the G.O. Committee voted to protect children and their families from the alcohol industry's deceitful marketing practices."

The sole democrat to vote against the measure was Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa). According to the National Institute on Money in State Politics (http://www.followthemoney.org ), the second highest contributing industry to Senator Wiggins' 2006 election campaign was beer, wine & liquor, giving $22,582. Diageo, the multi-national alcohol marketer and creator of the alcopops Smirnoff Ice, topped her list of alcohol industry contributors with gifts totaling over $3,000. "It seems a bit too convenient that the only Democrat voting against this modest and sensible measure has taken money from Diageo, maker of the most widely consumed alcopops in the state," added Scippa. "Was she voting against public health or for Diageo?"

Marin Institute is an alcohol industry watchdog based in San Rafael, Calif.
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CONTACTS: Michael Scippa, 415-257-2490
Pete Ratajczak, 415-257-2488
Media Contact: See above.

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California Alcopops Labeling Bill Clears Senate Governmental Organization Committee; Legislators Help Control Alcohol Marketing to Kids
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 10 (AScribe Newswire) -- AB 346, a measure authored by California Assembly Members Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Lori Saldana (D-San Diego) cleared another hurdle today when the Senate Governmental Organization Committee passed the bill on a bipartisan vote of 6 to 2. The legislation would ensure that underage youth, parents, teachers, law enforcement personnel, retail employees that sell alcoholic beverages, and other members of the public are able to readily discern that a particular product contains alcohol. The measure also mandates a clear label statement signifying the amount of alcohol the product contains. "This is an important step in the state's fight against underage drinking," said Michael Scippa, Advocacy Director for Marin Institute. "We are delighted that Chairman Dean Florez and a strong majority of the G.O. Committee voted to protect children and their families from the alcohol industry's deceitful marketing practices." The sole democrat to vote against the measure was Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa). According to the National Institute on Money in State Politics (http://www.followthemoney.org ), the second highest contributing industry to Senator Wiggins' 2006 election campaign was beer, wine & liquor, giving $22,582. Diageo, the multi-national alcohol marketer and creator of the alcopops Smirnoff Ice, topped her list of alcohol industry contributors with gifts totaling over $3,000. "It seems a bit too convenient that the only Democrat voting against this modest and sensible measure has taken money from Diageo, maker of the most widely consumed alcopops in the state," added Scippa. "Was she voting against public health or for Diageo?" Marin Institute is an alcohol industry watchdog based in San Rafael, Calif. - - - - CONTACTS: Michael Scippa, 415-257-2490 Pete Ratajczak, 415-257-2488 Media Contact: See above.