Diageo, the world's leading spirits, wine and beer company is proud to support House Bill 398, Speaker Terry Spence’s legislation that aims to combat underage drinking in Delaware by immediately suspending driving privileges for any person under 21 who attempts to purchase or possesses alcohol. The bill also ensures penalties will no longer be debatable in a court and requires all underage people who apply for a Delaware driver license to sign a pledge acknowledging the penalties if caught drinking.
“We applaud Speaker Spence in his effort to further deter underage drinking in Delaware and hope this bill will encourage those under 21 to make responsible decisions with it comes to alcohol,” said Dwayne Kratt, Senior Director, State Government Relations, Diageo North America. “We want our products to be enjoyed responsibly solely by people 21 and older and we are committed to combating underage drinking,” Kratt said.
While increasing penalties for those under 21 who obtain alcohol is one way to combat underage drinking, holding adults accountable may be even more critical in the fight against youth drinking. According to experts, adults are the biggest source of alcohol for underage drinkers. The Century Council, a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, found that 65% of underage drinkers get their alcohol from family and adult friends.
In its commitment to finding meaningful solutions to combating underage drinking, Diageo has supported legislation in several states that suspends the driver's license of adults who knowingly furnish alcohol to anyone younger than age 21. To date, these bills have been introduced in more than 20 states and approved in eight.
- ends -
Notes to editor:
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at <http://www.diageo.com>.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.