Fate of Mini Bottles in Hands of South Carolina Voters
This November, South Carolina voters will decide whether to end
a 30-year-old constitutional requirement that forces bars and restaurants
in the state to serve alcohol from mini bottles, the Columbia State
reported June 2.
Supporters of the referendum said eliminating mini bottles would
reduce drunk-driving rates because the 1.7 ounce bottles have about
50 percent more alcohol than the average free-pour drink.
But opponents said eliminating mini bottles would cut into funding
for alcohol treatment and prevention programs, since a portion of
the mini-bottle tax pays for these programs. "Now that they've
got the referendum, what's the incentive to make sure the revenue
is there for the programs?" asked South Carolina House of Representatives
Minority Leader James Smith (D-Richland).
If the referendum is approved by voters, establishments would be
able to sell liquor from full-sized bottles.
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