Distilled Spirits Council Supports “We Don’t Serve Teens” Campaign

The Distilled Spirits Council is joining with dozens of national, state and local organizations in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s “We Don’t Serve Teens” 2009 Fall campaign to help get the word out that serving alcohol to teens is unsafe, illegal and irresponsible.

“Research shows that not only are parents and other adults the primary influence over a teen’s decision regarding drinking but they are also a primary source of alcohol for teens — whether they know it or not,” said DISCUS President Peter H. Cressy. “As the school year begins, this campaign provides an important reminder to parents and other adults that serving alcohol to teens is unsafe, illegal, and irresponsible.”

The “We Don’t Serve Teens” education campaign is based on research showing that most teens who drink obtain alcohol from social sources — including sneaking alcohol from their parents’ homes; having older friends buy it; or obtaining it at parties. The campaign website, www.dontserveteens.com, provides information about teen drinking, how to reduce teens’ access to alcohol, practical tips for parents on talking to teens about alcohol and camera ready campaign materials.

The “We Don’t Serve Teens” nationwide campaign has been supported by a diverse group of public and private partners, including America’s leading distillers, federal, state, and local governments, advertising and media organizations, and consumer groups.

Since its inception, the “We Don’t Serve Teens” Back-to-School campaign has generated an unprecedented 1.1 billion advertising impressions with a market value of over $9 million, and has been recognized by the U.S. Senate and officials from 40 states.

“The ‘We Don’t Serve Teens’ campaign has been hailed as one of the most successful public service campaigns in history. These types of public-private partnerships are truly making a positive impact in the fight against underage drinking,” said Cressy noting that the latest Federal data from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released yesterday shows a continued steady decline in underage drinking.

According to the survey, past month drinking among youth 12 to 17 years old dropped from 15.9% in 2007 to 14.6% in 2008; binge drinking was down from 9.7% in 2007 to 8.8% in 2008; and heavy drinking was down from 2.3% in 2007 to 2.0% in 2008. In addition, the most recent Monitoring The Future study found a continued decline in youth reporting that it is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get alcohol.

Organizations supporting the campaign include the Distilled Spirits Council, U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, American Beverage Licensees, Beer Institute, National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, National Association of Broadcasters, National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, National Consumer League, National Organizations for Youth Safety, Students Against Destructive Decisions, The Century Council, and Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America