Press Release
NBWA Applauds House Passage of STOP Underage Drinking Act
Media contact: Erin Donar | EDonar@nbwa.org | 703-229-3702
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – On June 22, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act as part of a broader legislative package reauthorizing over 30 key priorities for the Administration and Congress. The bill now awaits Senate passage. If signed into law, the STOP Act would be reauthorized through 2027.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) worked closely with industry and public health partners to gain support for reauthorization of the legislation. In April, as part of NBWA’s Legislative Conference, distributor members participated in meetings with key House and Senate staff and sent a letter along with industry partners to members of Congress in support of the legislation.
NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser issued the following statement upon passage of the STOP Act:
“America’s beer and beverage distributors applaud the passage of the STOP Underage Drinking Act. This proven piece of legislation helps combat underage drinking while affirming the value of the state-based system of alcohol regulation. The STOP Act recognizes that alcohol is different than other consumer products and is best regulated by the states, consistent with the 21st Amendment. NBWA is grateful to the leadership of Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) and Dave Joyce (OH) for their tireless work to see this important legislation reauthorized. We encourage the Senate to pass the STOP Act so it can continue to provide necessary tools to address underage drinking.”
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system. Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 140,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.