News Archive
Distilled Spirits Council Blasts Proposed 10% Alcohol Tax Increase in Connecticut
The Distilled Spirits Council today called on the Connecticut legislature to reject the budget proposal by the state Joint Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, which included a new 10 percent excise tax increase on alcohol. “The proposal is a massive tax increase on consumers that received no oversight or chance for public comment,” said Distilled Spirits […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Statement on New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Action to Ban Alcohol Advertising on City Property
The Distilled Spirits Council today issued the following statement from Distilled Spirits Council Vice President Jay Hibbard: The mayor’s decision to ban alcohol advertising is misguided and unsupported by the scientific research. The research is clear – parents and other adults are the most influential factors in a youth’s decision whether or not to drink […]
Read MorePennsylvania Senate Introduces Legislation Expanding Consumer Access to Distilled Spirits
The Distilled Spirits Council today lauded legislation introduced by State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) that would expand the number of outlets permitted to sell spirits in Pennsylvania. The legislation, SB 548, would increase the number of spirits outlets by allowing existing off-premise licensees, including grocery stores with “R licenses” and beer retailers, to immediately begin […]
Read MoreTexas Senate and House recognize April as Alcohol Responsibility Month
The Texas Senate and House of Representatives today recognized April as Alcohol Responsibility Month as “a welcome opportunity to call attention to the work that must be done to further reduce the tragic impact of drunk driving and underage drinking in Texas.” The Senate and House approved SR 536 by Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, and […]
Read MoreResponsibility.org Names Former Phoenix House President and Substance Abuse Expert as New Executive Director
Statement from Responsibility.org and Distilled Spirits Council President and CEO Chris Swonger today announcing the appointment of Benjamin Nordstrom, M.D., Ph.D. as Executive Director of Responsibility.org, a national not-for-profit funded by leading distillers to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and inspire a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. Dr. Nordstrom joins Responsibility.org from Phoenix House, […]
Read MoreImpact of Retaliatory Tariffs on American Whiskeys Accelerates
The Distilled Spirits Council today released a new report showing the negative impact of the retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskeys is accelerating, particularly to the European Union (EU), according to full year 2018 export data. Last month, at its Annual Economic Briefing, the Council reported the imposition of retaliatory tariffs beginning in June 2018 caused American […]
Read MoreIrish Whiskey Market Thrives in United States
Step aside, green beer. This St. Patrick’s Day, Americans will be celebrating with a dram of super premium Irish Whiskey, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The Council reports that while the entire category is growing fast, the higher priced categories are “on fire.” Since 2002, high-end premium and super premium Irish Whiskeys grew a staggering […]
Read MoreWest Virginia Strikes Down Sunday Liquor Sales Ban
Beginning this weekend, West Virginians can purchase a bottle of spirits any day of the week, under a new law signed today by Governor Jim Justice repealing the state’s Prohibition-era ban on Sunday liquor sales. “More and more states are rolling back these outdated Sunday sales bans to modernize their alcohol laws and increase consumer […]
Read MorePGA TOUR Modernizes Policy on Spirits Sponsorships
The PGA TOUR announced last night to its players that it is expanding its policies regarding distilled spirits sponsorships, marking the latest major U.S. sports league to modernize its spirits sponsorship policies. “This is welcome news for distilled spirits, as the PGA becomes the last major professional sports league to equalize the treatment of marketing […]
Read MoreVirginia Governor Signs Statewide Alcohol Sales Bill
Requires 31 Dry or Partially Dry Counties to Opt-Out by Referendum Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today signed into law SB 1110 , which makes the entire state “wet” but allows localities to opt-out of alcohol sales by referendum, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The new law applies to 31 counties that are “dry” or “partially […]
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