FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Scottie Ellis
270-724-3181
LOUISVILLE, KY – Feb. 12, 2013 - A statewide poll of Kentucky residents released today shows Kentuckians are strongly opposed to expanding the sale of alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine to retail outlets like truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores and grocery stores. By an overwhelming margin, Kentuckians also said in the poll that alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine should not be sold in stores that allow children and teenagers on the premises. Kentucky voters also believe that increasing access to alcohol will lead to more increased levels of teen drinking and higher rates of problems caused by alcohol abuse.
The poll, commissioned by www.FACTKY.org and conducted by Harper Polling, asked 1,096 likely voters in Kentucky a series of questions concerning the sale of alcohol in the Commonwealth. The poll was conducted Feb. 7-8, 2013 and has a margin of error of +/- 2.96 percent.
“These poll results are clear,” said Gary Gerdemann, spokesman for FACTKy.org. “Kentuckians know that expanding alcohol sales to truck stops, convenience stores, dollar stores and grocery stores will lead to more teen drinking and more alcohol problems…and nearly 60 percent of Kentucky voters are against it.”
Kentuckians responding to the poll also showed an interest in the livelihood of locally owned mom-and-pop liquor stores that provide jobs to residents in the state. Over half of respondents said that allowing truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores and grocery stores to sell liquor and wine would hurt mom-and-pop liquor stores and cost Kentucky jobs.
The poll showed that the majority of Kentuckians are against the expansion of alcohol sales, especially when it concerns liquor and wine being within easy reach of the state’s youth. With nearly 600 available liquor licenses in Kentucky, two thirds of respondents (66 percent) said they are not in favor of allowing establishments where underage minors frequently shop or work receive licenses.
“Judge Heyburn was clear in his stay ruling,” Gerdemann said. ”He was giving the Kentucky Legislature time to take action before the Court of Appeals could uphold his decision and prevent this dramatic change in alcohol policy from occurring. We urge the legislature to take action and prevent the largest increase in alcohol outlets in the Commonwealth since Prohibition ended.”
Kentuckians who are concerned about his issue are urged to visit www.FACTKY.org to learn more about the issue and to take action. The website will help people connect with their lawmakers and voice their opinion on the issue.
Following are the six questions asked of Kentuckians across the state and their responses.
Q: Currently, the sale of most alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine is restricted to liquor stores and some drug stores in Kentucky. Do you believe the state should allow the sale of this kind of liquor in other stores, such as truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries?
Yes42.76%
No 57.24%
Total 100.00%
Q: There are about 600 available liquor licenses in Kentucky. Are you in favor of those licenses going to truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries where teenagers frequently shop and work?
Yes 33.92%
No 66.08%
Total 100.00%
Q: Do you believe alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine should be sold only by adults, to adults and only in stores that do not allow children and teenagers?
Yes 69.05%
No 30.95%
Total 100.00%
Q: Do you believe expanding hard liquor sales to truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries will lead to increased levels of teenage drinking?
Yes 54.29%
No 45.71%
Total 100.00%
Q: Who do you agree with more – people who want to sell vodka, whiskey, and wine in truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries, or people who say allowing such sales will hurt mom-and-pop liquor stores and cost Kentucky jobs?
Allow in grocery 44.74%
Hurt mom-and-pop 55.26%
Total 100.00%
Q: Who do you agree with more: people who say allowing wine and hard liquor sales in truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries will be more convenient for consumers, or people who say that increased access to wine and hard liquor will lead to higher rates of problems related to alcohol abuse?
Convenient 41.79%
Increased problems 58.21%
Total 100.00%
About FACT
FACT is a broad group of organizations, law enforcement and individuals who share a common concern for the safety and well being of all Kentuckians when it comes to the sale and usage of alcohol. The coalition formed as a direct result of the U.S. District Court ruling claiming that Kentucky’s current law regulating the retail sale of alcohol violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause because it does not allow gas stations, truck stops and grocery stores to sell liquor. For more information on FACT please visit www.FACTKy.org.
Media Contact: Scottie Ellis
270-724-3181
LOUISVILLE, KY – Feb. 12, 2013 - A statewide poll of Kentucky residents released today shows Kentuckians are strongly opposed to expanding the sale of alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine to retail outlets like truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores and grocery stores. By an overwhelming margin, Kentuckians also said in the poll that alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine should not be sold in stores that allow children and teenagers on the premises. Kentucky voters also believe that increasing access to alcohol will lead to more increased levels of teen drinking and higher rates of problems caused by alcohol abuse.
The poll, commissioned by www.FACTKY.org and conducted by Harper Polling, asked 1,096 likely voters in Kentucky a series of questions concerning the sale of alcohol in the Commonwealth. The poll was conducted Feb. 7-8, 2013 and has a margin of error of +/- 2.96 percent.
“These poll results are clear,” said Gary Gerdemann, spokesman for FACTKy.org. “Kentuckians know that expanding alcohol sales to truck stops, convenience stores, dollar stores and grocery stores will lead to more teen drinking and more alcohol problems…and nearly 60 percent of Kentucky voters are against it.”
Kentuckians responding to the poll also showed an interest in the livelihood of locally owned mom-and-pop liquor stores that provide jobs to residents in the state. Over half of respondents said that allowing truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores and grocery stores to sell liquor and wine would hurt mom-and-pop liquor stores and cost Kentucky jobs.
The poll showed that the majority of Kentuckians are against the expansion of alcohol sales, especially when it concerns liquor and wine being within easy reach of the state’s youth. With nearly 600 available liquor licenses in Kentucky, two thirds of respondents (66 percent) said they are not in favor of allowing establishments where underage minors frequently shop or work receive licenses.
“Judge Heyburn was clear in his stay ruling,” Gerdemann said. ”He was giving the Kentucky Legislature time to take action before the Court of Appeals could uphold his decision and prevent this dramatic change in alcohol policy from occurring. We urge the legislature to take action and prevent the largest increase in alcohol outlets in the Commonwealth since Prohibition ended.”
Kentuckians who are concerned about his issue are urged to visit www.FACTKY.org to learn more about the issue and to take action. The website will help people connect with their lawmakers and voice their opinion on the issue.
Following are the six questions asked of Kentuckians across the state and their responses.
Q: Currently, the sale of most alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine is restricted to liquor stores and some drug stores in Kentucky. Do you believe the state should allow the sale of this kind of liquor in other stores, such as truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries?
Yes42.76%
No 57.24%
Total 100.00%
Q: There are about 600 available liquor licenses in Kentucky. Are you in favor of those licenses going to truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries where teenagers frequently shop and work?
Yes 33.92%
No 66.08%
Total 100.00%
Q: Do you believe alcohol products like vodka, whiskey and wine should be sold only by adults, to adults and only in stores that do not allow children and teenagers?
Yes 69.05%
No 30.95%
Total 100.00%
Q: Do you believe expanding hard liquor sales to truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries will lead to increased levels of teenage drinking?
Yes 54.29%
No 45.71%
Total 100.00%
Q: Who do you agree with more – people who want to sell vodka, whiskey, and wine in truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries, or people who say allowing such sales will hurt mom-and-pop liquor stores and cost Kentucky jobs?
Allow in grocery 44.74%
Hurt mom-and-pop 55.26%
Total 100.00%
Q: Who do you agree with more: people who say allowing wine and hard liquor sales in truck stops, gas stations, dollar stores, and groceries will be more convenient for consumers, or people who say that increased access to wine and hard liquor will lead to higher rates of problems related to alcohol abuse?
Convenient 41.79%
Increased problems 58.21%
Total 100.00%
About FACT
FACT is a broad group of organizations, law enforcement and individuals who share a common concern for the safety and well being of all Kentuckians when it comes to the sale and usage of alcohol. The coalition formed as a direct result of the U.S. District Court ruling claiming that Kentucky’s current law regulating the retail sale of alcohol violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause because it does not allow gas stations, truck stops and grocery stores to sell liquor. For more information on FACT please visit www.FACTKy.org.
The Safety of Kentucky’s children is in jeopardy!
A U.S. District Court recently ruled that a portion of Kentucky’s current laws regulating the retail sale of alcohol violate the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. It is imperative that the Kentucky Legislator take up this issue in the 2013 Legislative Session because this expansion of alcohol retail sales would allow ANY retail store to sell ANY kind of alcohol, including high-potency liquor. If the Legislature does not act, the practices will take effect.
|
This will create the LARGEST expansion of alcohol sales since the end of Prohibition!
What would this mean for Kentucky’s children? It could mean increased access to high-potency liquor in grocery stores, gas stations, dollar stores and even truck stops. Teenagers will be selling liquor to their peers and high-potency liquor will be sold in establishments where children and teens are allowed to enter and shop. Increased access will mean increased dangers for our children. Yes, these businesses currently sell beer, but did you know that 4 ounces of wine is 3 to 4 times as potent as a 12 ounce beer? Louisville alone currently has 250 available package liquor licenses. Do the residents of Louisville really need 250 gas stations, grocery stores and dollar stores selling liquor and wine where their children work and roam the aisles?
FACT is a broad group of organizations, law enforcement and other concerned individuals who share a common concern for the safety and well being of all Kentuckians when it comes to the sale and consumption of alcohol. We call upon the Kentucky General Assembly to do what is right and enact a law that protects the best interests of all Kentuckians, particularly our children.
FACT is a broad group of organizations, law enforcement and other concerned individuals who share a common concern for the safety and well being of all Kentuckians when it comes to the sale and consumption of alcohol. We call upon the Kentucky General Assembly to do what is right and enact a law that protects the best interests of all Kentuckians, particularly our children.
|
Retail stores will be able to place liquor and wine right beside of candy and sodas. Do you really want high-potency liquor this accessible to your children? |
|
|
|
|
Grocery stores, Dollar Stores and gas stations will also be able to sell liquor and wine. These retail settings employ teens and are not properly trained in selling alcohol.
High-potency liquor will be available in settings where families and children visit on a daily basis. |
