CDC Task Force Issues Report Recommending Against Privatization of Alcohol Sales

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Task Force on Community Preventive Services issued a report in February 2011, that “recommends against the further privatization of alcohol sales in settings with current government control of retail sales, based on strong evidence that privatization results in increased per capita alcohol consumption, a well-established proxy for excessive consumption.” Montgomery County is a control jurisdiction and conducts the wholesale distribution of beverage alcohol.

“In addition to the substantial net profit generated from liquor sales each year, our residents benefit from having a department that is extremely proactive in its efforts to educate the business community about responsible hospitality practices,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “I am delighted to see that this CDC study supports jurisdictional controls and recommends against further privatization. The Department of Liquor Control’s high standards and commitment to its customers to consistently provide responsible liquor sales in the County contributes to Montgomery County’s quality of life.”

The Liquor Control Board and Board of License Commissioners was created in 1933 and controlled the sale and distribution of alcohol in the County for 18 years before the Department of Liquor Control (DLC) was created in 1951. Today, the department handles liquor distribution to more than 900 licensed establishments in the County and owns and operates 24 retail stores. These stores maintain exclusive rights to the sale of spirits for carryout. Wine and beer sales are shared with off-premise license-holders. DLC profits go to the County’s general fund for use in paying for other County services such as police, fire and education.

For more information about the report and its findings, go to http://www.thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/RRprivatization.html.

 

Release ID: 11-137
Media Contact: Sue Tucker 240-777-6507